I'm planning on an Epidural, can I benefit from a doula

Notice: the photos on this site are
used by me with permission from
my clients, please out of respect,
do not copy or reproduce any of
these photos. Thank You.
Mary E. Smits

Disclaimer
The information contained on this website is of a general nature and is designed for educational purposes only. The information is not meant
to replace the recommendations or advice of your midwife or doctor. Please consult your midwife or doctor regarding your health care.

Therefore,
comfort and encourage
each other...
1 Thessalonians 5:11

Prenatally:

		explain available options and help the mother determine what choices are right for
		her and her family.
		explain any tests or procedures being suggested by the doctor, and explore
		alternatives if the mom wants to
		determine the type of care the mom is looking for and help her decide if she has a
		caregiver appropriate for her needs
		discuss any fears or concerns about birth and parenting
		explain hospital procedures, what is "optional" and what is deemed to be "policy"
		help the mom identify what sort of support she wants
		prepare a birth plan together
		help the mom to formulate questions to ask her caregiver if she wants to discuss
		any issues
		help the mom understand where she needs to consider options e.g.what happens
		if her doctor is not on call?
		look at ways that she can improve her health if she has any issues with illness or
		diet and help support her through that
		provide her with a sense of normality and faith that her body is growing her baby
		beautifully
		answer questions and provide reassurance to partners
		if this is a second or subsequent baby, debrief through previous births to better
		understand what happened during them and which aspects mom and dad want to have the same and which they want to have different, then identify what steps they can take to change them this birth
		explain the potential risks with an epidural and how to minimize these as much as
		possible (same with any other intervention such as induction, cesarean etc)

In Labor:

		arrive at the mom's home and support her in early labor
		answer any questions about what is happening at different stages of labor
		accompany her to the hospital and help her through the registration process
		provide company for the mom so her partner can leave if he needs a break or rest
		run for drinks and snacks for the mother and the partner
		take notes of the labor and birth, providing the mother with a written
		record/memory
		support her through labor until she reaches active labor, as it reduces the risks to
		mom and baby if she has the epidural after 4cm dilated
		support her and help her manage her labor while she is waiting for the anesthetist
		in case she has to wait e.g.he is not in the hospital or is busy in surgery.
		support her if the epidural does not work e.g.only works on one side or is patchy,
		or needs to be reinserted
		support her if she wants to have the epidural turned down for second stage to
		reduce the risks to her and the baby and provide comfort measures as feeling begins to come back again
		physically support her if she wants to be able to move around
		massage her, particularly her feet and legs, if she has uncontrollable shaking
		(common with an epidural)
		comfort, reassure, and support if mother's blood pressure drops (common with an
		epidural) and she needs oxygen
		take photographs of the labor and birth
		discuss alternatives if her labor slows (common with an epidural) and the staff are
		suggesting intervention to speed it up

Interventions may
be chosen because a
woman wants them, or because
medical needs show that they
are warranted.

Having interventions
does not make a woman less of
a mother or a weak person.
Having a drug free birth does
not show that a woman is
stronger or braver.

Whether a woman
chooses an epidural, or she
chooses a drug free birth, it is
paramount that the choices she
makes be hers alone. This is her
birth, and the choices belong
to her. She needs information,
understanding and support
from her birth team, family,
friends and other caregivers.

To impose a set of random
protocols on her that limit
her choices, prevent her
from being fully informed, do
not benefit her and her baby,
and remove the control of her
determining her own birth, is
unjustifiable in a nation where
one has the right to autonomy
and freedom of choice.

A doula does so much more than just help with pain relief.
If you choose an epidural, her role only changes slightly.

Examples of how a doula supports the mother
who chooses pain medication.

Back to F.A.Q.'s

After birth:

		help with
		breastfeeding
		make sure the mother
		and partner get something to eat
		help mother shower
		and get settled into a clean bed
		talk through the birth
		together and answer any questions mom has about how it went
		provide emotional
		support if mom is finding it difficult to cope or is overwhelmed by having a new baby

I'm planning on Having an Epidural, Can I Benefit from a Doula?

A member of the

Mary E. Smits, CD, CBE
Certified Doula and Childbirth Educator
Childbirth International
920-759-0771 and 920-475-5313