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For a few hundred dollars, a pregnant woman can hire a doula - a teacher, friend,
provider of emotional support, the one who bears the hand to be squeezed during labor
- who will do almost everything short of having the contractions for her when baby
comes.
"It really takes the pressure off planning for this birth," says Tracey Durf, who is
pregnant with her second child. Durf, 28, of Lurgan, Pa., hired a Hagerstown doula to
help her through the pregnancy.
A doula, pronounced DOO-luh, is a professional who is trained to assist a woman
during childbirth. Doulas, usually women, are like walking baby manuals. They teach
expecting moms and dads about birthing options. They explain the ins and outs of
natural, vaginal births, medicated births, and Caesarean sections; and what happens if
you deliver at a hospital or at home - what the mother should expect when it's time to
deliver. They even talk about what to expect if things go wrong.
Some doulas provide support after the baby is born.
Unlike a midwife, a doula does not offer medical support. "I do not deliver babies," says
Antonette Hoffman-Robinson, a doula in Hagerstown.
Instead, a doula is more of a coach, a person there to remind you of all those
techniques you learned when you're in labor, when the focus shifts to getting that baby
out by any means necessary, Hoffman-Robinson says.
A doula can cost any where between a couple hundred dollars to thousands, says
Frederick County, Md., doula Nicole Kosineski.
They receive certification from groups such as Doulas of North America (DONA),
which require would-be doulas to have experienced labor as a nurse, have midwife
training or attend a series of classes on childbirth - not as an expectant parent - in
addition to attending a DONA-approved workshop.
Kosineski says she became a doula because of the experience she had with a doula
while she was pregnant with her first child.
"She was my rock," Kosineski says.
Hoffman-Robinson says she became a doula because she did not get the type of
childbirth she wanted when she delivered her son Baylin, who is now 2.
Hoffman-Robinson had a C-section, which she felt was unnecessary. If she could do it
over, she says she would have had a natural birth. She would have hired a doula.
"You need an advocate to help give you the birth you say you wanted,"
Hoffman-Robinson says.
Doulas aren't advocates for a particular birthing style, Hoffman-Robinson says. Still,
doulas find themselves fighting the perception that they want to force natural births on
their clients. Hoffman-Robinson and Kosineski say they have clients who have had
medicated births, a decision they support.
By explaining to a pregnant client all the options, the woman will be better able to make
informed decisions about delivering her baby, Hoffman-Robinson and Kosineski say.
The doula is supposed to support a client's decision.
"To force natural births, that would go against the point of what we're trying to do -
empower women," Kosineski says.
Durf says she wants to have her baby at home, with a midwife. Her doula,
Hoffman-Robinson, will be at her side.
"It's nice to have someone there, who's there just for you," Durf says.
provider of emotional support, the one who bears the hand to be squeezed during labor
- who will do almost everything short of having the contractions for her when baby
comes.
"It really takes the pressure off planning for this birth," says Tracey Durf, who is
pregnant with her second child. Durf, 28, of Lurgan, Pa., hired a Hagerstown doula to
help her through the pregnancy.
A doula, pronounced DOO-luh, is a professional who is trained to assist a woman
during childbirth. Doulas, usually women, are like walking baby manuals. They teach
expecting moms and dads about birthing options. They explain the ins and outs of
natural, vaginal births, medicated births, and Caesarean sections; and what happens if
you deliver at a hospital or at home - what the mother should expect when it's time to
deliver. They even talk about what to expect if things go wrong.
Some doulas provide support after the baby is born.
Unlike a midwife, a doula does not offer medical support. "I do not deliver babies," says
Antonette Hoffman-Robinson, a doula in Hagerstown.
Instead, a doula is more of a coach, a person there to remind you of all those
techniques you learned when you're in labor, when the focus shifts to getting that baby
out by any means necessary, Hoffman-Robinson says.
A doula can cost any where between a couple hundred dollars to thousands, says
Frederick County, Md., doula Nicole Kosineski.
They receive certification from groups such as Doulas of North America (DONA),
which require would-be doulas to have experienced labor as a nurse, have midwife
training or attend a series of classes on childbirth - not as an expectant parent - in
addition to attending a DONA-approved workshop.
Kosineski says she became a doula because of the experience she had with a doula
while she was pregnant with her first child.
"She was my rock," Kosineski says.
Hoffman-Robinson says she became a doula because she did not get the type of
childbirth she wanted when she delivered her son Baylin, who is now 2.
Hoffman-Robinson had a C-section, which she felt was unnecessary. If she could do it
over, she says she would have had a natural birth. She would have hired a doula.
"You need an advocate to help give you the birth you say you wanted,"
Hoffman-Robinson says.
Doulas aren't advocates for a particular birthing style, Hoffman-Robinson says. Still,
doulas find themselves fighting the perception that they want to force natural births on
their clients. Hoffman-Robinson and Kosineski say they have clients who have had
medicated births, a decision they support.
By explaining to a pregnant client all the options, the woman will be better able to make
informed decisions about delivering her baby, Hoffman-Robinson and Kosineski say.
The doula is supposed to support a client's decision.
"To force natural births, that would go against the point of what we're trying to do -
empower women," Kosineski says.
Durf says she wants to have her baby at home, with a midwife. Her doula,
Hoffman-Robinson, will be at her side.
"It's nice to have someone there, who's there just for you," Durf says.
Any day now Sherry Quinones' life will change dramatically and it's a change she's
been awaiting for nearly eight years. With the birth of her first child due any day now,
Sherry is leaving nothing to chance.
She has a birth plan and a doula to help her execute it.
"I thought about this day for such a long time. I like to know as much as I can know
and have a plan and a back up to that plan," she said.
Her plan involves Antonette Hoffman-Robinson, a birth doula and lactation educator,
who Quinones hired to help her during the birth of her son. The word "doula" comes
from the Greek word meaning "woman's servant." In modern days, doulas are being
used to provide emotional and physical support to a laboring woman and her partner.
They are different from midwives, who are trained medical professionals who can
perform medical procedures and delivery babies.
According to the Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators, a doula
can help reduce the negative feelings about one's childbirth experience, reduce the
need for pitocin, forceps or vacuum extractions and cesareans and reduce a mother's
request for pain medications.
Sherry said she is hoping Hoffman-Robinson's presence will help her hold off on
heading to the hospital longer and remember what she can do to help herself during
active labor.
"Antonette will be a help to remind us of our goals and to execute them," Sherry said.
Nancy Lord, coordinator of the Frederick Memorial Hospital's Family
Focus/Childbirth Education program said expecting parents are asking more often for
doula information.
"They are very interested in doulas because they like the idea that dad is there to help
with certain things, but it is nice to have someone who is so familiar and skilled in the
area to help them also," Lord said.
According to Doulas of North America (DONA) an international organization
promoting and certifying doulas, more doulas are making their way into delivery
rooms.
"I think there is more of a open mindedness to having a doula especially as natural
childbirth and informed births are on the rise," said Natashia Fuksman, northeastern
regional director for DONA international. "Certainly the use of doulas has been on an
increase. What we are seeing very consistently is that mothers are having far more
satisfying birth experiences with consistent labor support with someone not a clinician
but someone trained in labor support fulfilling emotional needs as well as physical
needs."
Doulas trained
Doulas certified by DONA must complete a class series and a 16-hour workshop as
well as attend at least three births accounting for 15 hours of labor support. The
process can take up to a year. According to DONA doula-assisted births result in a
decrease in postpartum depression and a more positive birth experience. Some doulas
also help mothers with postpartum care after delivery as well as assisting in birth.
Hoffman-Robinson said she got into the field after feeling unsatisfied after the birth
of her son Baylin by cesarean section.
"Instead of being angry, I wanted to be positive," she said. Earning her certification as
a doula, Hoffman-Robinson said she focuses on empowering women in the delivery
room. "I love to see these women feel good because they birthed on their terms."
For about $450 Hoffman-Robinson (www.nascitadoula.com) helps a pregnant woman
with two prenatal birth visits to create a birth plan, is available 24 hours, seven days a
week for consultations, attends the birth from labor's onset and makes a postpartum
visit. She also can provide lactation education. She has been working as a doula for
two years and has had 15 clients so far.
"Partners feel comforted by me because it is hard to see their spouse in pain and not
know what to do. I can help to facilitate that spouse's involvement," she said.
Attended 40 births
Christine Myers of Frederick was a childbirth educator for six years and discovered
she enjoyed being with her clients as they delivered. She is now a DONA-certified
doula and has attended nearly 40 births (www.gentlepassagebirth.com).
"Husbands often still want someone else there. I can help the husband help their wife
if they don't remember what they learned. A lot of times I can take a backseat," Myers
said. "I am not a there to usurp the role of the husband but I am backing up the role."
She said there are misperceptions about the intentions of a doula.
"Some think that doulas are just for those giving natural birth," she said. "When you
are in labor, whether the woman is having medication or not, there are some things
still they need to do like getting enough fluids, trying to change position and address
the emotional stress with labor. Some may not feel pain but need to be talked through
the emotional stress and have help to make medical decisions."
Nicole Kosineski of Adamstown is still working on her certification as a doula. She
got into the business after using a doula in the natural birth of her daughter a year ago.
"She was my rock," Kosineski said of her doula.
Her husband encouraged her to hire the doula for the birth.
"My husband is a wonderful man, but taking a three-day course on birth and expecting
him to support me as much as someone who does this for a living would know how
to do is unrealistic," she said. "A lot more women are taking charge of their healthcare
and realize they do have options. The trend goes in and out. It has started and faded
before. I pray it doesn't fade this time."
Before hiring a doula, DONA recommends checking their experience level, asking
how many births they have attended and determining the services they provide. Also
important is finding out what type of on-call availability they offer and backup plan to
that availability. References and fees should also be discussed.
Kosineski (www.frederickdoula.com) advices pregnant women make sure the doula
shares their philosophy on birth.
"There are doulas who will walk out if you say you are going to have an epidural or
cesarean sections. Find out the philosophy of the doula you are interviewing. It is a
red flag if the doula argues with nurses on medical care. A doula can help remind you
of your birth plan, but the doula is not to discuss your plan with the medical staff,"
Kosineski said.
For more information about doulas log on to www.dona.org; www.alace.org.
been awaiting for nearly eight years. With the birth of her first child due any day now,
Sherry is leaving nothing to chance.
She has a birth plan and a doula to help her execute it.
"I thought about this day for such a long time. I like to know as much as I can know
and have a plan and a back up to that plan," she said.
Her plan involves Antonette Hoffman-Robinson, a birth doula and lactation educator,
who Quinones hired to help her during the birth of her son. The word "doula" comes
from the Greek word meaning "woman's servant." In modern days, doulas are being
used to provide emotional and physical support to a laboring woman and her partner.
They are different from midwives, who are trained medical professionals who can
perform medical procedures and delivery babies.
According to the Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators, a doula
can help reduce the negative feelings about one's childbirth experience, reduce the
need for pitocin, forceps or vacuum extractions and cesareans and reduce a mother's
request for pain medications.
Sherry said she is hoping Hoffman-Robinson's presence will help her hold off on
heading to the hospital longer and remember what she can do to help herself during
active labor.
"Antonette will be a help to remind us of our goals and to execute them," Sherry said.
Nancy Lord, coordinator of the Frederick Memorial Hospital's Family
Focus/Childbirth Education program said expecting parents are asking more often for
doula information.
"They are very interested in doulas because they like the idea that dad is there to help
with certain things, but it is nice to have someone who is so familiar and skilled in the
area to help them also," Lord said.
According to Doulas of North America (DONA) an international organization
promoting and certifying doulas, more doulas are making their way into delivery
rooms.
"I think there is more of a open mindedness to having a doula especially as natural
childbirth and informed births are on the rise," said Natashia Fuksman, northeastern
regional director for DONA international. "Certainly the use of doulas has been on an
increase. What we are seeing very consistently is that mothers are having far more
satisfying birth experiences with consistent labor support with someone not a clinician
but someone trained in labor support fulfilling emotional needs as well as physical
needs."
Doulas trained
Doulas certified by DONA must complete a class series and a 16-hour workshop as
well as attend at least three births accounting for 15 hours of labor support. The
process can take up to a year. According to DONA doula-assisted births result in a
decrease in postpartum depression and a more positive birth experience. Some doulas
also help mothers with postpartum care after delivery as well as assisting in birth.
Hoffman-Robinson said she got into the field after feeling unsatisfied after the birth
of her son Baylin by cesarean section.
"Instead of being angry, I wanted to be positive," she said. Earning her certification as
a doula, Hoffman-Robinson said she focuses on empowering women in the delivery
room. "I love to see these women feel good because they birthed on their terms."
For about $450 Hoffman-Robinson (www.nascitadoula.com) helps a pregnant woman
with two prenatal birth visits to create a birth plan, is available 24 hours, seven days a
week for consultations, attends the birth from labor's onset and makes a postpartum
visit. She also can provide lactation education. She has been working as a doula for
two years and has had 15 clients so far.
"Partners feel comforted by me because it is hard to see their spouse in pain and not
know what to do. I can help to facilitate that spouse's involvement," she said.
Attended 40 births
Christine Myers of Frederick was a childbirth educator for six years and discovered
she enjoyed being with her clients as they delivered. She is now a DONA-certified
doula and has attended nearly 40 births (www.gentlepassagebirth.com).
"Husbands often still want someone else there. I can help the husband help their wife
if they don't remember what they learned. A lot of times I can take a backseat," Myers
said. "I am not a there to usurp the role of the husband but I am backing up the role."
She said there are misperceptions about the intentions of a doula.
"Some think that doulas are just for those giving natural birth," she said. "When you
are in labor, whether the woman is having medication or not, there are some things
still they need to do like getting enough fluids, trying to change position and address
the emotional stress with labor. Some may not feel pain but need to be talked through
the emotional stress and have help to make medical decisions."
Nicole Kosineski of Adamstown is still working on her certification as a doula. She
got into the business after using a doula in the natural birth of her daughter a year ago.
"She was my rock," Kosineski said of her doula.
Her husband encouraged her to hire the doula for the birth.
"My husband is a wonderful man, but taking a three-day course on birth and expecting
him to support me as much as someone who does this for a living would know how
to do is unrealistic," she said. "A lot more women are taking charge of their healthcare
and realize they do have options. The trend goes in and out. It has started and faded
before. I pray it doesn't fade this time."
Before hiring a doula, DONA recommends checking their experience level, asking
how many births they have attended and determining the services they provide. Also
important is finding out what type of on-call availability they offer and backup plan to
that availability. References and fees should also be discussed.
Kosineski (www.frederickdoula.com) advices pregnant women make sure the doula
shares their philosophy on birth.
"There are doulas who will walk out if you say you are going to have an epidural or
cesarean sections. Find out the philosophy of the doula you are interviewing. It is a
red flag if the doula argues with nurses on medical care. A doula can help remind you
of your birth plan, but the doula is not to discuss your plan with the medical staff,"
Kosineski said.
For more information about doulas log on to www.dona.org; www.alace.org.
