The Advantages Of Childbirth Doula Northern Colorado

By Robert Gibson


The word doula has its origin from Greece and can be translated to mean a servant or handmaiden. Labor doulas are also known as birth doulas and are women who have training in providing practical and emotional support to new mothers before, during and after birth. If the same services are needed during the period after birth, postpartum doulas would need to be hired. In consideration of services of a childbirth doula Northern Colorado residents need to know the advantages of the services.

They facilitate communication between women and caregivers. They help to encourage women to advocate for themselves and make required decisions as regards their care. The doula will stay with a women all through the labor period, offering encouragement. They suggest techniques to be used to increase comfort as well as assistance with breastfeeding. The services might also be needed after birth, in which they offer support with organizing the home, running errands and cooking.

In most cases, doulas will come into the picture during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. There will be prenatal meetings during which discussions are help regarding preferences of the woman. It is important that the doula who is chosen is able to meet needs of the mother. The mother will also share what she thinks about such things as drugs or different interventions. If she has any fears about childbirth, they will share that as well. Doulas are supposed to explore kinds of emotional support which could help.

The childbirth doula might offer clients additional information on childbirth and pregnancy. They however do not make medical recommendations. Neither do they do clinical assessment. Part of their role is development of a birth plan because they have additional training as educators in childbirth. In addition to that, some of them are trained as lactation consultants.

The advantage of using childbirth doulas which cannot be offered by ordinary caregivers is that they will be providing continuous support to women. They do that all through the labor period. They also do that at any other time when called upon. Ideally, a doula should meet the mother hours before they leave home to go and deliver. They will be with the mother throughout that period until after the birth is successfully accomplished.

Studies have shown that when a woman receives continuous support, she is more likely to give birth spontaneously through the vagina. That is not so for women who never receive as much support. Furthermore, such women who receive support tend to have shorter hours during labor. They will not need to use pain medications in most instances. Such mothers have better satisfaction with birth experience. A doula should visit the mother at home after one week to ensure all is well.

There is no requirement that a doula should be certified. There are however some organizations which provide them with certification. The type of certification will depend on length of training and rigor. In hiring doulas, you need to find out the level of experience and how suitable they are for you.

The cost of the services needs to be considered beforehand. Most of them will charge per hour while others charge a flat fee. There are insurance companies that might cover part of the costs.




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