Congratulations to our 2022 World Doula Week Essay Contest Scholarship winner, Ella Mink, who won $500 to go to the doula training of her choice.
By Ella Mink
The number one thing I would recommend to any expectant parent is a doula. I am not being biased because I am a doula myself, actually the opposite.
I became a doula myself because of how important and impactful my doula was to me. Prenatally my doula encouraged me to look at birth with love. This love hit me hard, so hard that birth work is now my life’s passion.
While not everyone will be drawn to labor, everyone can benefit from a doula.
Pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period are times that any birthing parent can tell you. These are the times in a person’s life that directly affect the rest of their life. And while every person comes from birth, there are still so many conflicting and stressful opinions and recommendations. This is my number one reason for recommending a doula: a doula can calm the chaos and connect directly with a parent to respect, support and help them and their wishes.
What is your ideal birth? What do you hope your postpartum period looks like? Which advice should be taken and which should be thrown out the window? A doula won’t answer these questions for you, but a doula will guide you so you get the most direct and respectful advice on how to proceed in the way you see best for your family.
January Harshe, creator of Birth Without Fearwell quoted:
“I don’t care what kind of birth you have…a home birth, scheduled cesarean, an epidural hospital birth or if you give birth alone in the woods next to a baby deer. Feel I know you have choices, that you are supported in your choices and that you are respected”.
While you can view the statistics which tells you that birthing with a doula decreases the cesarean rate by 50%, the length of labor by 25%, requests for an epidural by 60% and that 96% of parents who use a doula would recommend one. I believe that having a doula is a much more personal/uplifting experience then you can calculate with numbers. This means that even if you have an unexpected birth outcome/postpartum experience- having your doula to support and guide you through challenging times can be just as beneficial.
And doulas aren’t just for birth givers! This is a big one.
Although it seems comfort measures, breathing techniques, counter pressure, feeding positions, sleep tips etc are only considered by one parent; doulas can make a difference to the whole family. Before and during birth, doulas help by building confidence, reassurance and helping partners understand the situation and support in any way they feel comfortable. A doula is not a substitute for a partner.
A doula is a guide for the whole family in the transition of welcoming its newest member. A doula can also help said newest member and any other affected family members/siblings. By helping parents find optimism, rest, and even calm during stressful, complicated, and emotionally draining times, doulas help smooth the postpartum period in a way that benefits everyone.
If you are considering a doula for birth, postpartum or any other reason; Having an experienced and professional member of your village will make a positive difference in your whole family’s experience. So that one day when a new expectant parent comes to ask you for lots of advice, you can tell them the one thing I always recommend “A DOULA!”.
