For hundreds of thousands of years before the advent of the epidural and pharmaceutical pain products, women gave birth naturally and without the use of medications or interventions. Yet for modern women, the thought of giving birth without an epidural can be a frightening concept, no matter how much a woman desires natural childbirth. A lot of information out there seems to claim that if you just think happy thoughts and believe childbirth doesn’t have to be painful…it won’t be.

I’m sorry to say I fell into that trap. I read a few books about childbirth that argued that it doesn’t have to be painful. And I believed it. I wasn’t worried in the least. I mean it’s a natural process your body has to go through, how hard could it be? As it turns out it was really, really hard. I went into labor on a Tuesday morning. My daughter was born on a Friday. What happened between those days is a little fuzzy but basically involves pain way more intense than I had imagined, hours and hours and hours of enduring contraction after painful contraction, only to find out I was barely making progress. I had basically no tools to cope with the pain (that wasn’t supposed to be there in the first place!) All of this eventually led to many unwanted interventions and good deal of emotional trauma on everyone’s part. After enduring all those contractions, “naturally”, I ended up with pitocin, an epidural and a vacuum delivery.

So what’s the one thing I would do over again if I had the chance? (Besides actually complete my Hypnosis Course instead of just falling asleep…) I would hire a doula. The word ‘doula’ comes from the Greek word for servant. For centuries before modern medical birth, women helped each other give birth using techniques passed down through generation after generation. Today pregnant women can hire a doula to provide emotional and physical support during labor and delivery. Doulas are trained and experienced in childbirth and can provide a wide range of non-medical pain relief measures.

Surprisingly, science seems to overwhelmingly support the benefits of using a Doula. A 1997 study found that laboring women who were supported by a doula experienced the same levels of pain as those who had received an epidural. Additionally, women who used a doula were able to cope with their pain equally well to those who used an epidural.

Additionally, while epidurals do lead to less pain, they also tend to lead to more interventions, often times ending with caesarian deliveries, which are a greater risk to both the mother and baby’s health. Doula support, on the other hand, lowers the risk of c-section. A university study found that women whose labors were induced and used a doula had a 20 percent c-section rate, while those who did not use a doula, had shocking 63% c-section delivery rate. Another study found mothers who were supported by a doula or labor companion during birth had more positive interactions with their newborns after birth. Women who use doula support during labor have been shown to have 1/2 as many c-section as those who do not use a doula. They have also been shown to have large reductions in the need for interventions such as forceps and vacuum. Many women also experience shorter labors.

I was advised to hire a doula when I got pregnant, and I’m very sad to say I didn’t do it. I really believe my labor and delivery would have been a more positive, natural experience had I taken that advice. Please consider hiring a doula and sharing information about doulas with any pregnant women you know. And of course, doulas and epidurals are not mutually exclusive. Doulas can be beneficial to your labor experience even if you choose to use medication.

Author: Tara N Smith

To find a doula in your area visit The Doula Network

Tara Smith is a mom, perennial researcher, reader and author of growbabygreen.com, a website that helps parents “go green” for their baby and family.To learn more green, organic and natural living ideas and tips visit http://www.growbabygreen.com

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5 Reasons Why You Need A Doula

A doula is a labor support professional who can assist you when going through childbirth. Traditionally, women were always attended by other experienced women to help them get through this difficult life transition. In the modern day hospital setting, women are generally unattended until it is time to actually deliver. This means a first time mom could spend 16-18 hours feeling completely alone. The nurses will hook you to the monitor, and check on you about once an hour.

A doula is a professional, trained to handle the non-clinical aspects of labor. She is familiar with the process of childbirth and how to guide you through the progression of labor with effectiveness. This is the only experienced professional who stays with the mother from the time her labor is active, until after the baby is born.

Here are 5 reasons a mom will want a doula by her side:

1.The mother will have professional help in developing a birth plan, as a doula assists the new parents in understanding all the available options

2.The mother will have an experienced professional by her side continuously during labor

3.The mother will be physically comforted by the doulas comfort measures, including warm compresses, massage, relaxation and breathing techniques

4.The partner will have support and guidance in how to help the mother during labor

5.The couple will have a beautiful account of what happened during labor, as a doula will keep a record and many mothers lose focus of the time

These are just a few things that a doula can do for you! Here is what Jacksonville moms are saying about having a doula for their birth:

‘She [our doula] provided us with important prenatal information and
practice relaxation techniques that assisted my husband and me to feel prepared for the birth.’

‘The positive outcome of our labor was directly impacted by our doula’s birthing expertise and her ability to assist me in managing my labor. We would not have been able to have a natural, non-medicated delivery without our doula!’

‘This was the best money we spent when preparing for our new baby!’

"Thank God for my Doula. I could never have done a natural birth without her guidance and coaching. She was totally amazing and I will definitely be seeing her again when it is time for baby number two."

Educate yourself and hire and doula to help you have a shorter, easier birth and a wonderful birth experience.

By: Sita Payne Romero

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Sita Payne Romero, LMT, CD Sita specializes in preparing expectant mothers to have a comfortable pregnancy, and achieve their ideal birth experience. She is a certified doula, a licensed and certified pregnancy massage therapist and a prenatal yoga teacher. She owns a private practice in Jacksonville, FL. For more information, and helpful articles please visit www.lotusinbloom.net