The Importance of a Doula

I have had a few friends ask me recently if I had a doula for our birth and what I thought of hiring one. My answer? YES. IT IS AN ESSENTIAL!

Kelly Sunshine!

Why do I feel this way? Well, let me give you some of the statistics first, taken straight from my friend and doula, Dianne Hamre’s blog:

50% reduction in cesarean rate

25% shorter labor

60% reduction in epidural requests

40% reduction in Pitocin use

30% reduction in analgesia use

40% reduction in forceps delivery

(These statistics appear in Mothering the Mother: How a Doula Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier, and Healthier Birth by Klaus, Kennell, and Klaus (1993)

And these are just the physical reasons- there are so many more psychological, spiritual, and emotional reasons! A doula can provide soothing touch, pain management positions, progression exercises, food and drinks, prayer, praise, and encouragement. When dealing with the hospital staff, a doula can help to explain protocol and procedures, hold off unnecessary interventions, allow minimal necessary interventions, give your support team a break, run errands, and encourage you during birth. And one of the most important things- TAKE PICTURES! I am so blessed by the pictures that we have of our labor and birth. Although they were difficult to look through in the beginning (because of a traumatic labor), they have become something that I cherish of my long journey into motherhood.

I think it’s safe to say that we had two doulas throughout our pregnancy and birth.

Dianne Hamre was the first person that we met on our walk-through of the birth center, at 6 weeks pregnant. She was calm, quiet, and loving. She had a sparkle in her eyes that showed confidence and assurance. But don’t let any of that fool you- in the thoroughs of labor, Dianne seemed to morph into whatever I needed her to be at that moment. She encouraged and loved on me, she spoke firmly when I needed to push, she moved my big pregnant body around into new positions and told me to calm down and focus. Her strength kept me going while I labored at the birth center, and she kept me calm in moments of panic- whether it was gently or firmly! This poor woman had other mamas in labor AND back-to-back classes while I was in labor and could not be there for the whole thing- so she sent her backup. But she was present at the birth center and trying to sleep in the other room while I wailed and breathed through contractions. I think she got 2 hours of sleep total, and was in my room that morning before her class, encouraging me, taking pictures, and praying over us. Although she could not transfer to the hospital with us, she did show up at 9pm to help me breastfeed my newborn. I don’t know how she does it.

Dianne helping us work through a contraction.

Kelly Sunshine was Dianne’s backup, and we had met her briefly at a “Meet the Midwives” event when I was about 32 weeks pregnant. I remember taking to her instantly- I loved her smile and how friendly she was. She talked all things baby with us, and church! She also shared our faith, which was a big deal for us. Up until that moment, I was terrified of Dianne not being at my birth. But after I met Kelly, I remember thinking “Okay, I would be alright if Kelly was with us”. Good thing, because she was our main lady! Kelly showed up at my house during a contractions, and she went straight to work. Backrubs, the infamous hip squeeze and the best- a massage with essential oils! She had me in and out of the shower, on and off the toilet, on the floor, the bed, walking.... everywhere. She stayed the night with us, sleeping only a few hours. The cervical checks were so painful, that Kelly held me down and got in my face telling me I could do it. I needed her stern manner to get out of my hysteria!

When we transferred to the hospital, Kelly met me there with open arms. She talked me through my epidural as it was emergency- Daniel left the room since I did better with Kelly’s strong encouragement and explanation. She ran back and forth from my room to another laboring mom- always there when we needed her. She explained hospital protocol and intervened when the nurses tried unnecessary procedures. She found little crackers and snacks for me (I hadn’t hardly eaten in 3 days) and gave my husband and parents a break. My husband felt confident leaving me in Kelly’s care. She prayed over me and held my hand through the checks. She took pictures of my progression as I pushed and never let me give up or lose hope in the 3 1/2 hours I pushed. She was as amazed as I was that I didn’t end up in a c-section! I love this woman- I could not have birthed without her support! 

Doesn't she look so good for being up for 3 days with me!?

If you would like to, you can read my full birth story. Both of these women played pivotal roles in my journey to bring Piper into the world! 

If you are in Phoenix area, here are Dianne’s and Kelly’s profiles on DoulaMatch.com. If you are not, I would encourage you to go to this website and find a doula who fits you!