5 Ways Your Doula Can Help You Get Ready For Birth

Nearly every doula has a Mary Poppins type bag of skills that apply to more than just birth. Doulas want moms to feel calm, nourished, relaxed, and supported throughout their entire pregnancy, not just at the end.

 

The combination of having your best interest in mind while having an inside scoop on the hospital system (or midwife group) is perfect for providing assistance in creating a birth plan. Your doula can help you with key points and ask you questions that will guide you to building a birth plan that you feel good about.

 

When it comes to your prenatal appointments, sometimes it's helpful to have an extra set of eyes and ears present. Asking your doula to accompany you to a prenatal appointment can be beneficial for staying calm, understanding medical jargon, or processing news or recommendations from your practitioner. Having a doula at the appointment with you will ensure your questions are answered and alleviate any worries about the appointment. If your doula can't physically be with you, it might be worthwhile to see if they can be on the phone for added support.

 

Work with your doula throughout your pregnancy to prepare for labor and delivery. This might include breathing techniques, practicing different labor positions, and talking with you and your partner about how to work with each other when the big day comes. This is a great time to bust out that birth plan to make sure you've covered everything you want.

 

Getting ready to have a baby can bring up a lot of different emotions. The hormones are partially to blame but it's also because growing a human has the tendency to make moms really examine and feel every aspect of their lives. While there is no substitute for a trained mental health specialist, your doula likely has a variety of tools to help you feel as emotionally prepared as you can for birth. Some doulas offer prenatal support groups to meet with other moms, and some doulas will spend extra time tending to your emotional well being throughout your pregnancy. This kind of emotional care is really important for expectant moms to experience as they're pregnant, because it can help them feel more connected and secure as they head into birth.

 

Hiring a doula early on can be really beneficial for the inevitable questions that come during pregnancy. Many doulas offer text message support throughout the duration of their contract. Having a person who knows you and the details about your specific pregnancy and birth wishes is a much better person to field questions than turning to Google. Your doula will be able to provide non-medical advice about many things pregnancy related. Experiencing uncomfortable sleep? Ask your doula for some tips! Having a hard time keeping food down in the morning? Your doula might have advice. 

 

It's important to consider your needs and desires for your pregnancy and birth, ensuring that the doula you hire can meet them. This post offers insight on how to interview your doula. At BeHerVillage, we LOVE doulas. We know how important their role is in helping moms and families have a comfortable, supported and empowering pregnancy and birth experience.