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Ramblings & Musings

Do I need a doula and a midwife?

3/29/2016

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This is a question that comes up a lot for people who are experiencing their first pregnancy or who've previously given birth without a doula. Many wonder if they really need a doula when they're already under the care of a midwife. Sometimes parents aren't sure of the distinction between the two roles, or they mistakenly think that one can be a substitute for the other. 

Basically, it comes down to this...midwives and doulas make a great team. Can you have a great birth without a doula present? Of course you can. And, many people do. But, that doesn't mean there aren't many benefits to adding another skilled, educated, compassionate member to your birth team. Remember, your doula provides non-stop, emotional and physical support for *only* you and your partner during your birth. For those seeking an unmedicated birth, that constant support is a huge benefit. For many others who are working through complicated issues (past birth trauma, previous miscarriage or loss, fertility struggles, health care providers who are not supportive of their wishes, high-risk complications) the presence of a doula can be critical to an empowering birth experience.

This article offers some great points on why having both a midwife and a doula as members of your team can help your birth be an empowering, beautiful experience.

http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1039849/do-i-need-a-doula-and-a-midwife

If you're still not sure, try the following....

#1- Ask your midwife if they think a doula is beneficial to someone in labor. Most midwives are very happy to have a supportive, skilled doula in the room. The more support for their clients, the better!

#2- Ask someone who had both a doula and a midwife at their birth how they felt about their experience. We promise you'll be hard-pressed to find a person who had a doula and felt like they didn't benefit from her skills and presence. 

Take care,
​Kate
​
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Interviewing Doulas- The More, The Merrier

3/9/2016

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Every interview we have with a potential client is different, because every person has their own individual thoughts, concerns, and questions to bring to the table. A table that usually has a combination of coffee and dessert on it, by the way. That’s how we roll. But, some things are the same...we all share a little about ourselves, Becca and I let couples know what services we offer, we go over our scope of practice. And, we pretty much always end our meeting the same way...with heart-felt congratulations to the expecting family and encouragement to interview at least one other doula before making their decision. Many people seem surprised that we would suggest the latter. So, we thought the subject warranted a post on this fine blog of ours.

Why do we encourage women to interview multiple doulas? I don’t feel like it’s a big secret, but let it be known...not all doulas are the same. I know, crazy. Here’s a brief list of some qualities that we at AthensBorn feel are important in a doula. She (or he, it happens) should be...

  • Compassionate
  • Educated
  • Experienced
  • Open-minded
  • Professional

And, guess what? There are quite a few talented doulas who meet these qualifications, right here in Athens! We’re a very lucky community that way. So, when you interview a couple of these lovely doulas and you find they’re on pretty equal ground, what tips the scale in favor of one over another? The vibe. You know the one. It says “this person gets me.” You feel a connection or a gut instinct. And, there’s your answer! Truly professional doulas are not going to be offended by this because we realize it’s beyond our control. We simply cannot be the very best personality match for every couple, because we're all individuals. You’re choosing a person who will be present for one of the most intimate experiences of your life. Choose someone who is qualified and professional, but also choose someone who gets you. Because you deserve that.

We want every woman to have a beautiful, powerful experience when she gives birth and every partner to feel supported and confident. That means having the best possible match for a doula. So meet with a few and mull it over a bit. You’ll likely feel much more confident in your choice. And, if there’s one thing we love for a woman to bring into her birth, it’s confidence.

Take care,
Kate

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Doulas Aren't Just For Hippie Births!

3/4/2016

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Doulas attend ALL kinds of birth. You don't have to be a certain kind of woman planning a certain kind of birth to get the support you deserve!

http://thestir.cafemom.com/pregnancy/115924/doulas_arent_just_for_hippie
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"A Childless Man gets a C-Section"

3/1/2016

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If you're as obsessed with all things birth as we are, you may already be aware of this podcast: "The Longest Shortest Time" by Hillary Frank. It's a podcast full of interviews with parents and birth professionals, parenting advice, birth stories, and more (check it out!). Hillary recently ran an episode (#71) about Cesarean births. I wanted to post this episode here because Hillary interviews two people, a woman and a man, about their experiences with Cesareans. Yes, you read that right. Kinsey, the woman, tells her Cesarean birth stories, and so does Ian Chillag (of NPR fame). He underwent a mock Cesarean designed to give men an idea of what it can be like. 

The episode can be found here.

After you've listened, please chime in: if you have had a Cesarean birth, can you relate to anything these two people are saying in their interviews? If you haven't, do you now have a clearer understanding of what you might expect from one? How does this episode speak to you?

We can't wait to hear your thoughts! 

Lots of love!
​Becca
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    Kate & ​Becca

    Welcome to our blog! Check back often to see what we're currently rambling about.

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  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • KIND WORDS
    • FAQ
    • DOULA APPRENTICESHIPS
    • BLOG
  • SERVICES
    • BIRTH DOULA PACKAGES >
      • LABOR DOULA PACKAGE
      • APPRENTICE LABOR DOULA PACKAGE
      • CESAREAN BIRTH PLANNING PACKAGE
    • PLACENTA ENCAPSULATION
    • LACTATION SUPPORT >
      • Lactation Consultations
      • Pregnant & Planning Ahead
      • Lactation Education & Classes
      • Lactation Support Guide
      • Lactation & Insurance
    • POSTPARTUM SUPPORT
    • GIFT CERTIFICATES
  • CLIENTS
    • Online Forms
    • Local Resources
    • FAQs
    • Community Connections
    • Insurance Reimbursement
  • CONTACT
  • EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS
  • AthensBorn Shop
    • Shop Birth Doula Services
    • Shop Lactation Services
    • Shop Postpartum Services
    • Shop Placenta Services