Frequently Asked Questions: Is it better to tear or be cut?

Is it better to tear or be cut? 60Sec Doulas give some great responses to if it's better to tear or be cut. I like to use the analogy of tearing a piece of fabric. If you hold a piece of fabric in your hands, and choose to tear it by pulling it, it's very difficult. It can be done, but it's hard. How would you tear that fabric then? You would take scissors and snip a bit, then it would be easy to tear! Although your perineum isn't exactly fabric, the analogy works pretty well.

Frequently Asked Questions: Is a doula a midwife?

Is a doula a midwife?

A doula versus a midwife: A doulas main purpose is simply to be there for mom and her partner during pregnancy and birth. A midwife is a trained medical professional, many times also a certified nurse. They prescribe medications and attend to the woman medically. The doula attends to any needs of the mother that are non-medical. A doula will often be available to the mom before a midwife would be in attendance, as doulas will often meet their clients in their homes to be with them in early labor before mom decides to go to their place of birth, or before their midwife meets them at home in the case of a home birth. Studies have shown that the continuous support aspect of a doula is one of the main aspects of a doula that improves outcomes of birth.

Frequently Asked Questions: What is the best position to give birth?

What is the best position to give birth? Yep, whatever feels right to you in that moment! During our prenatal appointments we will discuss and try out many different positions that you can spend your birthing time in. When we discuss and practice these positions, it will help you visualize your ideal birth and allow you comfort in knowing that you have prepared well.

Frequently Asked Questions: How do I avoid interventions?

In this video, the three doulas discuss how to avoid interventions. The questions to ask your care provider are very important.

I like to go by the acronym BRAND....

Benefits
Risks

Alternatives
Nothing
Delay

When faced with an intervention during birth, you have the right to ask these questions and be fully informed of all your choices.

What would be the BENEFITS of this intervention?
What would be the RISKS of this intervention?
What would be the ALTERNATIVES to this intervention?
What if we do NOTHING instead?
What if we DELAY this intervention?

In our prenatal appointments we will discuss some of the interventions you may encounter and what you're preferences are regarding these interventions. As a doula, I cannot advise you on medical interventions, it is not within my scope of practice to give medical advise. But educating on some of these interventions is within my scope of practice and it's important to discuss them so that I have a better understanding of how to best serve you. 

Frequently Asked Questions: How long will the doula stay after birth?

I found this wonderful series on YouTube called 60SecDoulas. They are a group of doulas from the UK answering frequently asked questions in 60 seconds each! They allow their videos to be posted, so I'm adding them to my website to help answer my clients questions about my own services.

Like they say, every doula is different. I will stay with my client to assist in the first feeding and until everyone is comfortable and postpartum procedures are finished, usually about an hour, or until my client feels they are ready for me to leave.