Are you thinking, who or what is a doula? I have to
admit that I was not familiar with the term when I first heard it. More than a
midwife, who assists a woman in childbirth a doula, is the whole package. Both
are trained and can be certified, but the doula is the support for the mother
before the birth, through the birth, and after the birth for the whole family. While
a midwife or doctor is primarily focused on the physical procedure, the doula
is part of the entire process.
Having a
doula on board is an amazing thing. When the gynecologist/obstetrician
monitors, tests, and supervises a woman’s pregnancy, they are seeing their
patient only once a month until the last month when visits are weekly.
Measuring the fetus, checking the weight gain (babies and mother), and
performing a couple of ultrasounds, the doctors must attend to a multitude of
patients. The doula is actively involved through every step of the pregnancy.
This is especially helpful when it’s your first child. How many of you remember
having “no clue” during those nine months? Where was Google when I was having
kids?
So, when a friend announced the birth of her son with
the help of a doula, I had to investigate. Lauren Sczygielski-Anders and I
worked as ushers at the Genesee Theatre when it first opened. Always being
on-top of all that she does, I was not surprised that she had engaged a doula
for her first-ever birthing experience. Her choice was Martha Sheahan CD (DONA
International), who trained and became certified as a doula in 2009. Her
business is named, Becoming a Mother Birthing Service (www.becomingmothers.org).
She developed an interest in natural childbirth after her first two children
were born premature and wanted a better experience with her third and fourth.
Formerly, Doulas of North America, DONA
International is the largest doula association in the world. There are more
than 7000 certified doulas and the numbers continue to increase. Once
certified, Martha was able to use her skills to provide holistic, non-medical
birth support for people like Lauren, which is really the significant
difference between a doula and a midwife. Midwives like an obstetrician are
considered clinical care providers. Although essential to the success of the
birthing experience, they are focused on the physical act of giving birth. A
doula works alongside of the medical team, possibly a midwife, and mother
before, during, and after the delivery.
Martha explained, “As a doula I’ve worked in homes,
hospitals, and birthing centers. I provide care to all women, regardless of the
route they choose, while in labor. Natural, medical, or C-section the benefits
of a doula remain the same. The excitement of supporting a family through birth
never grows old. Each experience is unique and each birth writes its own story.
I believe a 100% in the empowerment this sacred experience brings to a woman. I
am honored to be part of the journey.”
In Lauren’s case, her baby, Tom, was delivered by
caesarean section at 39 weeks. He was a double footling breech. Yep, both feet
were coming out first. Not a good scenario for mother or child. Despite, a
major change in plans, she still felt her birth experience was almost perfect
with some valuable assistance from her doula. Lauren faced surgery with a calm,
relaxed confidence instead of fear and helplessness. She shared with me,
“Having Martha with us gave Dan (her husband) and me a peace and calm you
wouldn’t believe. Dan, who was a skeptic at first, loved having her there as
she was informative, professional, calm, and funny (most important). I am the
first woman in our family to have a doula and hope I won’t be the last…they’re
great!”
After my research, hearing Lauren’s story, and
learning about Martha’s passion for her profession I am convinced this is an
amazing practice and more meaningful than a traditional birth. Raising four
children with her firefighter husband, Matt, she is a blocker for the Root
River Rollers (a women’s roller derby team out of Racine, WI), and dabbles in
photography and gardening. Nonetheless,
she use her innate skills, (honed through hours of training) supports new
parents, and continues to bring new life into the world on a regular basis.
Sounds like a dream job to me, right? Until
next time…
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