A Swift Doula Blog, Chicago

#doulaRevolution

3/29/2015

meme made by Denise Forman for #worlddoulaweek

World Doula Week is over. It was incredible to see the word #doula trending on Facebook, in part because of a blog challenge hosted by September Phillips of Not Just Nine Birth Services. And even more incredible to see how many women were engaged in their communities to get the word out. The word doula. Doula. #Doula.

There is another tag that has been going around. It's #doularevolution. And it's been building. Women from across the globe have been making changes so that they can pursue doula work.

Doula work as their profession, not as a hobby. Women are learning what it means to be business women. They are learning what it means to follow a dream and build something with passion. And they are learning to "turn their passion into a paycheck."

I got to see this revolution begin in a Facebook group called The Business of Being a Doula. There Randy Patterson braved the water of "how it's always been done" and pushed women to think beyond what they were told, to see how they could be better, and to choose what was best for themselves.

It is a bold move for a woman to put herself first. But it shouldn't be. (Lessons in life, motherhood, and business come crashing together in this business group.)

From Randy and her partner Debbie came ProDoula. From ProDoula came the tools women needed to make the changes.

And as Heidi Shulista of Kansas City Doulas states when she talks about the #doularevolution, "A revolution happens because lots of like-minded people all have the same thoughts, at the same time, and they all move simultaneously in the same direction to make the change they believe is necessary to happen."

ProDoula isn't a brainwashing. ProDoula isn't telling women about what they are doing wrong. What makes them unique is they actually practice the values they teach. They support women - pregnant women, laboring women, business women. They give tools so women can make choices that are best for them - tools for labor, tools for business, and really, tools for life.

And the #doularevolution is picking up steam because of one simple thing: it makes sense. It makes sense that woman should be paid for their work. It makes sense that businesses can't survive on offering services for free. It makes sense that for our profession to be taken seriously, new doulas need to start smart business practices from their first birth on.

It doesn't make sense that women and families should suffer financially so other women and their families can be supported through birth.

Our culture has changed but our hearts are still here. The #doularevolution isn't just about a paycheck. The #doularevolution is, in part, about taking the choke collars that the "sisterhood of free birth" offer women as a tool to gain experience, and instead offer guidance, tried and true models, and wisdom. Actual tools for longevity and sustainable careers. Actual help from actual mentors.

It has been an incredible week. It has been an incredible year. the #doularevolution is just picking up steam.

Authored by A Swift Doula
Photo credit to Denise Foreman, The Issaquah Doula

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Doulas and doctors: Very different Roles

3/28/2015

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There are many people you may have with you in your pregnancy and birth journeys. A few possibilities are:

OB-GYN or Midwife
Fertility specialist
Lactation Counselor, or IBCLC
Chiropractor
Acupuncturist
Pre-natal Yoga instructor
Spiritual Guide
Your partner
Your family and friends

And if you decide, also your Doula

As a doula I believe that I am one member of your "birth ensemble."

Why build a Birth Ensemble?

Ensemble Definition: noun, plural ensembles
1.all the parts of a thing taken together, so that each part is considered only in relation to the whole.

I used to think of my self as a team member. But team also brings up images of competition, of "winning," of someone "sitting on the bench" or a "most valuable player."

During pregnancy and birth, it is absolutely inappropriate to have a "winning" and "losing" side. Unfortunately, that is not what some women take away from their birth.

As doulas, part of our role is to help the entire birth space be calm. That includes the medical staff, your partner, and anyone else that enters your space.

All the people that will come in contact with you need to work together. A partner can't do what a midwife does. A midwife can't do what your family does. A doula can't do what an OB does, and vice versa. Every member has a role to play, each unique to their strengths.

When a laboring woman has the intimate connection from her partner, the medical training and expertise of her care provider, and the emotional and attuned care from her doula, they all work to bring about a unique setting that is appropriate from that woman.

Having a birth "ensemble" gives a woman the reassurance, freedom, and knowledge to make decisions that will be best for her, and the ability to take ownership of her birth.

Doulas are NOT medically trained professionals

Because doulas are not medically trained professionals, doulas do not provide clinical or medical care. This means doulas do not provide examinations. They do not provide assessments. They do not provide recorded monitoring.

No vaginal exams
No blood pressure checks
No diagnosis
No suggestions for treatment

Doulas are also not a guarantee of an outcome. We are not able to predict how your baby will be born, or give you any certainty that your birth will end the way you first thought.

When doulas and doctors work together:
The result is a better birth

An unfortunate reality with today's medical system is that hospitals staff have more and more responsibilities. Doctors are balancing office hours with laboring clients. Nurses are trying to chart accurately and give attention to women, some who need more from them than they can sometimes provide.

The reality is that an efficient system of patient care management may not allow for the amount of attention a woman feels she needs in labor.

A doctor's main concern is healthy mom, healthy baby. A doula's main concern is healthy mind, healthy bond. Neither of these is more important than the other.

This is how doulas can help birth at hospitals:

By encouraging increased conversation and understanding, the mother will understand or ask for clarification ensuring that informed consent has been reached.

Important factors influencing patient satisfaction during labor are the quality of the caregiver-patient relationship, involvement in decision-making, and amount of support from caregivers. Having a doula present can greatly increase the chance that a mother will remember her birth as a positive experience.

The recent Cochrane Collaboration review of over 15,000 mothers in 22 studies confirmed that births with trained doulas present are less likely to have certain interventions. Thus, certain complications that may occur as a result of their use do not happen. (*This does not mean that having a doula present will result in a certain outcomes.)

Influences of family structure, language, culture, exhaustion and personality can mean various challenging social situations. When the doula is aware of the mother’s desires she can intercept or smooth over interpersonal problems between hospital staff and the patient. Although the mother employs the doula, the doula increases communication, understanding and respect between the physician and the family.

Worth repeating:

When a laboring woman has the intimate connection from her partner, the medical training and expertise of her care provider, and the emotional and attuned care from her doula, they work together to bring about a unique setting that is appropriate from that woman.

Having a birth "ensemble" gives the mother the reassurance, freedom, and knowledge to make decisions that will be best for her, and the ability to take ownership of her birth.

Healthy mom, healthy baby, healthy mind, healthy bond. When doulas and doctors work together, families benefit.

Authored by A Swift Doula

Other amazing writers are getting the word out about World Doula Week. Visit the World Doula Week Blog Challenge Blog Hop.

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World Doula Week - What You Really want Your Doula to have In Her bag

3/26/2015

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In case you didn't know, doulas are magical.

You are having contractions at home and things start to become uncomfortable. You are holding on the counter and swaying through contractions. You can't talk through them anymore, and you take deep breaths to ride out the pressure that comes. Your partner has called the doula, and it's decided she will meet you at the hospital.

The lights are so bright and there is so much going on. Your partner is held up with forms and answers questions. You are trying your best to find the rhythm you had in your kitchen, but here, change your clothes, lets adjust this monitor belt, can you lift your arm for a blood pressure reading, oh dear, lets re-tape your IV.

You. Just. Can't. Find. Focus.

And then a knock and there she is. Your doula has arrived and you breathe a sigh you didn't know you were holding.

Relief comes because you know your doula will be right where you need her before you know where you need her. The water appears before you think to ask for it. Your hips are sore, and with a few touches, she is easing that pain, over and over, contraction after contraction. She is right there helping you.

There is no fear reflected in her face, no judgement.

Some doulas usually carry a bag with them that have some practical items: lip balm, hair tie, change for the vending machine. There might be a massage tool or some mints.

But your doula will be ready to step into your birth space. She'll put down her bag and and pull out her...

...Confidence. Your doula has walked this path before and can help you through it. She will validate your experience. She will let you know what you are feeling is normal, help you navigate each wave and sensation, and guide you through the peaks. Reminding to rest, helping to comfort, repeating encouragement.

She can help a lost partner, See how I do this, now you try.

She can suggest adjustments. You look like you would like to grab on to something. Here let's try this position, you may be more comfortable.

She will cast out the self conscious. Let's make some low tones with our voice. It will help open your body. Here, I'll do it and feel free to join me.

But also, in those moments when you start to question if your baby will ever get out of your body, your doula will be right there reassuring you that you ARE getting your baby to come.

"I can't!" you say. "But you ARE!" she answers.

Authored by A Swift Doula
*The bag shown above was made by Ariel Swift. Click the photo to see more of her projects.

Other amazing writers are getting the word out about World Doula Week. Visit the World Doula Week Blog Challenge Blog Hop.

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World Doula Week - A chat with Gwendolyn Mccomsey of Lancaster Doulas

3/25/2015

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World Doula Week continues and today I am excited to talk with Gwendolyn Mccomsey of Lancaster Doulas. She and her partner have been doing incredible things in their area and I have loved hearing her stories of innovation and creativity, and welcome her here to talk a bit more about her work.

A: Gwen, there are many ways to operate a doula business. How did you meet your business partner Holly Haas Yeager, and how did the two of you start Lancaster Doulas?

G: Holly and I met through a local monthly support group for doulas and birth workers. After years of witnessing each other's businesses grow and a growing respect each other's styles. We decided it would be a far more sustainable business to share the duties of operating a business and to share an on call schedule. It has been an amazing transition moving into a partnership together. Far more so than I ever imagined!

A: I have loved hearing about your successes through social media. One of Lancaster Doulas signatures is your "Doulaisms" meme. How did they come about?

G: My dearest friend and graphic design artist Tina Logan designed our logo for Lancaster Doulas. Part of our logo is the swirly Koru symbol - which symbolizes new beginnings. I fell so in love with our logo that the doulaism idea just came to me without effort. Being an entrepreneur has really tapped into a creative side of me that I didn't know existed!

Other amazing writers are getting the word out about World Doula Week. Visit the World Doula Week Blog Challenge Blog Hop.

A: You sometimes post things your daughter has drawn that relate to your work, such as a picture of a pregnant mom. Can you talk a little about the legacy you are building for your daughter?

G: Although I am a single mother, my daughter, Soul Louise, is being raised by not one, but two entrepreneurs. In addition to healthy skills she is learning about right livelihood, her father and I are both very earth conscious, health conscious and community oriented. I can only hope our influences will have a positive impact on her.

Soul Louise's (6yo) drawing of a laboring mom with dad and sibling. Notice the mothers face!

A: I know you love a good brainstorming session! What resources have you utilized in your local area to strengthen your business, and strengthen your relationships with your community?

G: I do thrive on connecting with other entrepreneurs. I meet bi- weekly with my accountability partner. We share our progress, goals and push each other to reach further. We also share connections that would be beneficial for each other. I also get a great deal of support from my ProDoula family. There is a local networking group called PRE (PREnetworking.net) that I am a member of. This consists of weekly meetings with a wonderful group of business leaders. We work towards getting to know, like and trust each other. Once that is established we refer business to each other.

A: What do you wish all of your clients have after leaving the care of Lancaster Doulas?

G: I wish for all the families that we serve to be left with a sense of empowerment and peace of mind about their birth and postpartum experience. They deserve the best!

Thanks Gwen!

If you are interested in reading more great interviews take a look at other writers joining in for the World Doula Week Blog Challenge. Follow the link below to the blog hop.

Authored by A Swift Doula

Other amazing writers are getting the word out about World Doula Week. Visit the World Doula Week Blog Challenge Blog Hop.

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World Doula Week - The invaluable side Of Doula Care

3/23/2015

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Yesterday, I shared that before becoming a doula, I had a wonderful, stable job working for Barnes & Noble. I had insurance! I had vacation days! I had access to interesting people with interesting things to say and I was helping my community through literacy! It was (how many more exclamation points do you need.....) ah-mazing!!!

And I made the choice to leave it.

I then made the choice to become a doula. A year and a half after starting my career as a doula, I became a ProDoula.

When I was introduced to ProDoula through a woman named Randy Patterson, a few things happened:

I stopped feeling guilty for needing to make a living
I realized my attraction to this work was not just as a woman doing women's work, but it was a deep seeded need in me to be WITH women.

For me, finding ProDoula was the key to a very large pad lock that opened feelings and memories that I had pushed away. Why? Because they didn't make me feel good! Because of judgement, disappointment, or guilt. And women are criticized for our feelings, aren't we? So I put them away.

And Randy Patterson and the other women I have been doing this work WITH, crawled in that deep dark space with me while sitting on Debbie Aglietti's basement floor. And they showed me what it was like to really be with Women's Women. Women who love other women. Women who want big, inspiring things. Women who understand that we will all do those big inspiring things in our own creative ways.

I was a good doula before I became a ProDoula. I knew all the right questions, I pushed on all the rights spots, I had the right information. But after ProDoula, I finally really understood the need, and power of women showing empathy.

Real support. Non-judgmental support. Being in the dark cave, together.

And as I unlocked all of the pain, guilt, and disappointment, I started to let other things go too. I started to let my "character flaws" out and stretch their sore limbs.

Turns out, what I thought was flippancy was the ability to adapt. Turns out what I thought was being bossy, was in fact my ability to be a decisive doer.

I came back from an amazing experience and I started to try out this new self, with all my feelings and memories and baggage out for any who took a minute to see it. And I started believing that my voice was powerful.

And I now with this found voice, I learned to be much better listener. I see and hear women trying to navigate through a world where pregnancy has made their own emotions a little closer to the top - those emotions are a little easier to access.

Those emotions and fears are valuable. They are valid. They are good.

I walk into a woman's living room, and her emotions get all over her face, and she feels bad. She feels wrong. And I get so sit with her, and look at her emotions on her face, and nose and hands and tissues, and be with her. And say that those emotions sound really hard and I am so glad she shared those really hard emotions with me.

It isn't a space many people are willing to go. My work lets me go there. I get to go there! I get to be a real women with other real women.

And this is only a small part of the work that I do.

But this is the invaluable part. This is the part that gets hard to explain in a fee.

I talk about my on-call schedule. I talk about being available on the phone. I talk about specific hours of time and things like how many times we will meet, because in our society, these are the things that can be measured and checked off a list. (And they are important too!)

But today, during World Doula Week, I wanted to talk a bit about what else the fee covers. Non-judgmental support. Being WITH you in labor. Having a person in the room who is comfortable with all the ugly baggage and still looks you in the face and says, hey I see you over there. Don't worry, I see you.

Authored by A Swift Doula

Other amazing writers are getting the word out about World Doula Week. Visit the World Doula Week Blog Challenge Blog Hop.

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World Doula Week - Get To Know Your Doula

3/22/2015

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Me and my daughter in my self made ring sling

In honor of World Doula Week, I am posting everyday about ... DOULAS! Getting to know more about your doula, Ariel Swift.

Warm up intro:

I am a birth and postpartum doula
I don't sing karaoke but I will bust out in the car
I am unapologetic about the amount of coffee I consume
I prefer my books to be arranged by color (much to the dismay of my husband)

1. How did you become a doula?

It wasn't a direct route, that's for sure!

A family I babysat for in my formative years (13-17 years old), let me be present for the birth of their second child. It was amazing. I truly believe that was a moment where the seed for working with women and birth was planted.

After having my daughter, I became interested in learning more about doulas. I kept hearing story after story of women who could have benefited from their support. I looked into what it would mean to become a doula, and then dropped it. I had a (fantastic) full time job as the community relations manager for my local Barnes & Noble, and my husband was at home with our daughter. We were golden. Until, that arrangement no longer worked. So I stayed home and started being around more women with babies.

From them I've learned early on that a birth story is an incredible thing. With each baby, you only get one shot. There are no do-overs.

For many women they are surprised by birth, and surprised by the feelings they have, or don't have, and they can feel misled. They can feel confused about how they had gone so long and not known The Things.

The Things like:

basic anatomy of their body
the reality that morning sickness isn't just in the morning for some women
understanding that breastfeeding isn't something that is easy or comes "naturally," and that THAT is normal

I was hearing story after story of new mom in the groups I was meeting and on message boards I was checking at 3am (feeding that baby). So many stories that I could no longer pretend that there wasn't something I could do. There was.

I could become a doula.

So I did. *psssst, you can too.

And this isn't about saving women. My intent going into this profession was to help one woman at a time take ownership of her birth experience.

It has been incredible every time.

2. What is your favorite part of being a doula?

My favorite part of being a doula is watching a woman come into her own!

It is unlike any other moment in life. There are parts of each of us that will only be unlocked when facing something incredibly difficult. For many women, childbirth may be the first time they are tapping into that. To be able to be present and witness a woman empowering herself to achieve a goal - be it birth, breastfeeding, or following a dream - helps me remain in tune with my own goals and dreams, and I become impassioned again and again with this profession.

3. Ok - less serious now - What do you eat after being at a birth?

Ha! Whatever I can find!

If the world is spinning in my favor I will have the opportunity to stop at Jim's Original Hot Dog, just off 90/94. Open 24 hours a day. One of the first places Mr. Swift Doula took me when we were dating (because it is a gem in the city) and still a favorite. If you are driving around at 2am-4am, it is still busy with taxi drivers getting some food.

Second love is a donut. *drool* Chicago has a great selection. So far my favorite is Do-Rite.

Should Jim's and Do-Rite be unavailable, I'll take a cup of coffee for the drive home. Soy latte please, or white chocolate mocha with just a 1/2 pump of syrup. Yummm.

4. What do you do when you aren't helping as a doula?

When I'm not with clients, I spend quite a bit of time mentoring new doulas and taking care of my volunteer responsibilities. But when I'm not doing those things, I like to run, sew, bake, and read. With the exception of running, all of these activities usually involve drinking a fair amount of coffee.

5. What is a fact about you that some may find surprising?

If you've read my blog before now, you may already know that I used to drive a tour bus in Alaska. That usually gets some weird looks when I meet new people. I have also worked at horse clinic in Eastern Washington right after high school and learned, among other things, the meaning of the phrase "don't look a gift horse in the mouth."

A vivid memory of an experience was when I was used as the prop while a horse's teeth were being floated (the term used to grind down their teeth if they don't get enough at pasture). Picture it: I am standing with a slightly groggy horse's head resting on my shoulder, while one hand is holding it's tongue out of the way and the other is twisting the twitch (a device that releases pleasure hormones by squeezing a horse's upper lip). All while the veterinarian is using a gigantic file on its teeth. I loved it!

The other totally fun and rewarding bit in my life was when I worked as a barista. I loved working in specialty coffee! A picture of some latte art I did while working at The Coffee Hound In Normal, IL is below.

I also was a competitor in barista competitions. In 2007 I made it to the US Barista Championships, I didn't come anywhere close to placing, but an experience I was so thankful to have!

And the last random fact - I've driven 5,700 miles with my cats in the car. Camping part of the time. But that's another blog...

Some of my latte art

When not driving buses in Juneau, Alaska, there was plenty of great hiking. This is at the top of Mt. Juneau with some driver friends.

After completing my first half marathon.

I make a mean scone.

I LOVE being a mom and I love seeing the world through my daughter's eyes. Life is full of joy and I know I have her to thank for helping me see it more often.

I hope you have enjoyed reading a bit more about me. Feel free to contact me with inquiries.

Authored by A Swift Doula
Images are the property of Ariel Swift.

Other amazing writers are getting the word out about World Doula Week. Visit the World Doula Week Blog Challenge Blog Hop.

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World Doula Week: Why Hire a Doula?

3/21/2015

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What is a Doula?
A question that I'm hoping will get asked less and less, but a question I am happy to answer!

I am a doula in Chicago, and when meeting new people inevitably profession comes up.

"I'm a doula."
"A what?"
"A doula. I work with women and their families to help ease the transition from pregnancy to a new normal at home after birth."
"What does that look like exactly?"
And I go on and on...

Traditionally, the word doula means a woman who serves, or if we are going back to Greek origins, a woman slave. In the context of my work, it is specific to women who a pregnant looking for labor support, or who have recently delivered and are looking for postpartum support.

And here we are, in World Doula Week! A whole week devoted to learning more about this work, this profession, and how I can help you.

How can I help you?
Why is a doula something to consider for your birth or your postpartum life?

Nuts and bolts of my job means I can provide support in areas you need, such as education, physical support through labor, or emotional support through this huge life event.

Having a doula means I am there to support and encourage, support and inspire, support and listen, support and remind, support and observe.

All of this support comes without any inkling of judgement or opinion. This support is the kind that can cause a woman to empower herself to make decisions that would be hard to make if she felt she were alone. Decisions that might be hard to make if she started to compare her feeling to those of other women.

As women, we each have an authentic view of childbirth and that view is something to celebrate. But it can be hard to find it and own it if a woman only hears stories of opposing opinions or terrible experiences.

When with a woman as her labor doula or postpartum doula, I have the wonderful joy of seeing motherhood unfold and bloom. I hear ideas never voiced. I am told fears that have never been released. Through it all, I am there to look women in the eyes and tell them that they are exactly what their baby needs. That they are strong and brave, and their choices are valid. That their feelings are valid. That their desires are valid.

These are words women do not hear enough.

Why Hire a Doula?
If you have never heard of a doula or if you are starting to consider bringing one onto your birth team, I encourage you to think of events in your life that will be more important than the birth of your child and those early weeks learning about each other.

The birth of your child will be an event that you will remember for the rest of your life, and it will swell emotions - good or bad. Consider that for years and years to come, when you are still remembering these moments, that they will inspire positive feelings or negative feelings.

Having a doula is not a guarantee of an outcome, but having a doula will help you take ownership of your birth and help you "write a story they are proud to tell," as Randy Patterson pointedly says in her description of doula work.

Stay with me this World Doula Week 2015 as each day a different part of doula life gets discussed!

What about you? If you have questions to ask this would be a great week to discuss them! Write in below with a comment, or mail me direct at ASwiftDoula@gmail.com. I'd love to hear from you!

Authored by A Swift Doula

Other amazing women are getting the word out about doulas for World Doula Week. Visit The World Doula Week Blog Challenge Blog Hop

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Nighttime vs. Morning

3/20/2015

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By: Bethan Phillips

It would be grand if this place, this TIMEOUT, really existed. Like a giant pause button to take us out of HERE and land us in THERE. But instead...

"I don't want it to be bedtime! I want it to be sun time!"

"Sorry sweet heart. The sun is already in bed. You need to go to bed too."

"Mom, I don't want it to be bedtime! Can we snuggle?"

"Time to potty and brush your teeth."

"I don't want to brush my teeth!"

"Ok. But we are going to potty and brush our teeth. Even when we don't want to."

"Mom. I want to play."

"I hear you honey. I want you to play too, but we are out of time for play. We are in time for bed."

At bedtime some of the things I say are just a huge puzzle of language that my daughter tries to figure out. Sometimes I do it on purpose. It will distract her thinking about what I'm saying and in the meantime, she goes potty, she lets me brush her teeth, and by the time she looks at me again with a question, I have one leg of her jammers on her wiggly body.

Sometimes, the words just flow out of me in non-sense.

Sometimes, I can't think of what to say.

"Every night we have bed time. Every night is the same." Except it isn't, is it?

"Mom I want to sleep with you!"

"You get to start in your own bed and we'll see where we all land in the morning."

Like magically, we float around the house and plop down in different places. Turns out, Harper is the only one who is able to fly these days, as without a doubt, she is in our bed come morning.

It is such a firm grasp she has of her day - she doesn't want to let it go. This one day has been so great that sleep will only ruin how great this day is...if only we didn't need to sleep!

When do we stop dreading bedtime? Is that when we become adults?

Meow!

No doubt it's 7:21a, as the cats are better than alarm clocks - if only I could set their time. Meow!

"Morning momma." Stretch

"Morning Harper. How did you sleep?"

"Fine."

"Did you have any dreams?" She still doesn't know what I'm talking about when I ask this one. She just stares at me.

"Can we go to Papa Glen's house today?"

"No sweetie. But we'll visit him soon. Do you want to call him?"

"No. Let's get breakfast. Let's race!"

And she already has a firm grasp on this new magical day.

QUESTION: How do you and your kids dance through bedtime?

Authored by A Swift Doula
Photo credit: Bethan Phillips. *This photo is copyrighted and can only be used with the correct attribution*

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Mother's Day Essay Writing Contest

3/12/2015

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I am so excited to announce the 1st annual Mother's Day Essay Writing Contest!

I know we have amazing mother's in our lives, and I want to know about them! Take some time to write no more than 750 words about the mom, friend, wife, or neighbor that you think deserves a bit of recognition. Or you can write in yourself about why you LOVE being a mother! The selected winner will receive a $50 gift card to Yolk for brunch in Chicago, as well as be featured here on A Swift Doula's Blog!

Submissions are due on or before April 30th. Please submit essay via email to ASwiftDoula@gmail.com with the subject line of Mother's Day Essay Contest. Winners will be announced on Mother's Day!

Submissions can be made by people of all ages, however paper submissions are not accepted at this time - if you know of a little person that would like to write in, let them! Just please help them type it and send it.

I appreciate your participation in this and thank you in advance for the great stories you are going to send. If you have a photo you would like to attach with the essay, that is also a bonus, but not required. If a photo is sent, It will be used with the winning essay's blog post.

Best to you all and happy early Mother's Day!

Authored by A Swift Doula

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Write Your Birth Plan. Then Throw it Out.

3/10/2015

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I love and hate birth plans. Or birth wishes. Or whatever you call them.

I love a birth plan because it gets parents involved in their birth. It is usually the first time many couples sit down and put what they want out in the open for each other to see. It can sometimes be the start to many very important conversations.

Ideas get organized. A view of what their birth will look like starts to take form. Couples start to have questions they can take to their doctors.

I hate birth plans because for many people it is the only discussion or the end of the discussion.

I've heard over and over, "Oh, it's in our birth plan that we want (fill in the blank) so I'm not worried."

So here is a little exercise. Let's play what if...

What if you forget to bring your birth plan to the hospital? Have you remembered what is important to you?

What if you are planning for freedom of movement and getting in water for pain management, but it becomes necessary that you stay close to monitors and out of water? Can you think of positions and locations for massage that will help you cope?

What if your partner gets sick? Do you have back up support you can call?

What if you are planning a vaginal birth, and it becomes evident that you require a cesarean birth? Have you talked about how this will impact your postpartum healing?

What if your baby need to be taken to the NICU (a neonatal intensive-care unit) after birth? Will your partner go with baby or stay with you? Do you have someone who can come to be with you until your partner returns?

Here is how I can help:

As your doula, many of the What Ifs above can be greatly improved if you hire me. I can help remember what was important - either by recalling conversations we've had, or by using B.R.A.I.N.

As your doula, I am present to help with positioning, with massage, counter pressure, comfort, and pain management. You don't need to know every beneficial position - I'll be your walking, talking, resource.

As your doula, I can be your support if your partner becomes unable - be it from sickness, from exhaustion, or for bathroom breaks and meals!

As your doula, I can help prepare you for what the cesarean delivery will be like, as well as help you make a plan for how to heal from an unexpected surgery. Doulas aren't just for vaginal deliveries. I have helped many mothers go through planned cesarean deliveries.

As your doula, I hope it isn't needed, but if your baby goes to the NICU, I can stay with you. You don't have to be alone while you wait for news or your partner to return.

And let's not forget - as your doula, I will help you write your birth plan. Because sometimes many families don't have any idea of how to get the conversation started in the first place, or what topics to cover.

So let's get together to see how I can help, both talking about the What Ifs, but also about how you can have the best possible preparation for the birth that you want.

Authored by A Swift Doula

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