12/21/2023
What do prenatal Chiropractic care and Doula care have in common? They are both shown to help facilitate a more positive birth experience with fewer complications or interventions.
Often when discussing patient’s goals for birth, we will ask if they plan to hire a doula. Frequently we are asked, “what does a doula even do?”.
There is a common misconception that a doula’s role will duplicate that of the obgyn/midwife or even the partner.
The main focus of the obgyn/midwife is to provide comprehensive medical support and to care for the health and safety of mom and baby.
A doula, on the other hand, specialize in providing emotional, physical and informational support to both the mother and partner.
What does this look like?
We would love to read any stories you’d like to share from any who have had the experience of birthing with the support of a doula.
Dr. Bre and Dr. Tyler, in all 5 of their births, never had a doula because they didn’t understand what a doula had to offer that wasn’t already being provided by their midwife or Dr. Tyler. Here is one example of a specific experience that could have been better had a doula been present.
During their first child’s birth, Dr. Bre labored hard and long with baby in a posterior position. Dr. Tyler worked hard to provide counter pressure for hours to help relieve the painful back labor. Dr. Bre became completely fatigued and after little sleep and many hours of labor. Eventually the only thing bringing Dr. Bre any relief or comfort was a cool wash cloth on her forehead which may seem silly, but it was helping. Dr. Tyler would dutifully rinse the wash cloth in cold water whenever Dr. Bre asked. Due to lack of sleep, lack of food, and stress, Dr. Tyler started to feel unstable as though he might pass out. He told Dr. Bre he needed to sit down and had to take a break, unable to rinse the washcloth. Although he wasn’t giving birth, he had pushed himself to a physical limit as well, and there was no one there to relieve him when he too was exhausted. There was no one to help him with his own physical needs that he was neglecting in order to support Dr. Bre.
Let’s hear your experiences with a doula! ❤️
