what is a doula?

"A doula is a woman who mothers the mother through pregnancy, labor, birth and the postpartum period. Studies have revealed that support in labor has profound benefits including shorter labor, less desire for pain medication, lower rate of Caesarian delivery, and more ease in initiation of breast feeding. Fathers reported that they were more relaxed with a Doula present, because they felt reassured and therefore freer to support their mates" ( earth and health )

A doula is a professional labor assistant also known as a Doula,  experienced and trained in labor and delivery. She provides support, but not medical aid, and focuses only on the mother's needs during childbirth and immediately after.

why would I need a doula if I have my husband

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There was a time when expectant fathers were portrayed as anxious, floor-pacing, cigar-smoking men who were tolerated in hospital corridors until the long-awaited moment when a nurse or doctor would announce they were the proud father of a daughter or son. Today's expectant fathers are different.

When it comes to pregnancy, birth, and parenting, today's father wants to share everything with his partner. He wants to be actively involved; ease his partner's labor pain, welcome his baby at the moment of birth and help care for his newborn at home. A labor doula can help a father experience this special time with confidence.

Studies show that when doulas are present at birth, women have shorter labors, fewer medical interventions, fewere cesareans and healthier babies. Recent evidence also suggests that when a doula provides labor support, women are more satisfied with their experience and the mother-infant interaction is enhanced as long as two months after the birth. With doula support, fathers tend to stay more involved with their partner rather than pull away in times of stress.

Today, a father's participation in birth and preparation classes or his presence at prenatal visits and in the delivery suite is a familiar occurrence. Yet, we sometimes forget that the expectations of his role as a "labor coach" may be difficult to fulfill. Sometimes it is also culturally inappropriate for an expectant father to be so intimately involved in the process of labor and birth.

The father-to-be is expected, among other things, to become familiar with the process and language of birth, to understand medical procedures and hospital protocols and advocate for his partner in an environment and culture he is usually unfamiliar with. A doula can provide the information to help parents make appropriate decisions and facilitate communication between the laboring woman, her partner and medical care providers.

(from DONA website)

What is a Monitrice?

How can a monitrice help me during my pregnancy & childbirth?
During the third semester of pregnancy, a monitrice educates you and your partner about preparing for labor and delivery...exercises to help stretch and strengthen your key muscles...what should be on hand for a more comfortable labor...possible early signs of labor. You call your monitrice when you think labor is probably beginning. Then the monitrice:

• Visits your house for a maternal and fetal assessment...checks maternal vital signs...checks fetal heart rate with a fetalscope or ultrasonic doppler...after a general assessment of you and your baby, often performs a vaginal exam for fetal position, presentation, station, effacement, dilation and possible membrane rupture.
• Observes the progress of labor.
• Notifies the primary care provider.
• Discusses the need for the monitrice’s presence with you and your partner. If the monitrice determines that early labor will probably continue for many hours, you might prefer to get as much rest as you can by yourselves, in which case the monitrice leaves and checks on things periodically. Or you might want the monitrice present at all times.
• Remains present during the more active phases of labor and through delivery.
• Recommends measures which can help alleviate pain in specific situations.
• Periodically throughout labor makes further fetal and maternal assessments.

Thus, you can determine when it’s time to leave for the hospital, notifying the care provider at that time. You’re much less likely to leave prematurely, either to be sent back home or to extend your hospital stay and thereby increase the probability of medical intervention.

(from /www.expectantmothersguide.com)

 

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