Just
as a woman's heart knows how and when to pump, her lungs to inhale, and
her hand to pull back from fire, so she knows when and how to give
birth. Virginia Di Orio The whole point of woman-centered birth is the knowledge that a woman is the birth power source. She may need, and deserve, help, but in essence, she always had, currently has, and will have the power. Heather McCue We have a secret in our culture, and it's not that birth is painful. It's that women are strong. Laura Stavoe Harm I
think one of the best things we could do would be to help
women/parents/families discover their own birth power, from within
themselves. And to let them know it's always been there, they just
needed to tap into it. John H. Kennell, MD We
are made to do this work and its not easy...I would say that pain is
part of the glory, or the tremendous mystery of life. And that if
anything, it's a kind of privilege to stand so close to such an
incredible miracle. Simone in Klasson 2001 If we are to heal the planet, we must begin by healing birthing. Agnes Sallet Von Tannenberg "Attending births is like growing roses. You have to marvel at the ones that just open up and bloom at the first kiss of the sun but you wouldn't dream of pulling open the petals of the tightly closed buds and forcing them to blossom to your time line." Gloria Lemay "The truth for women living in a modern world is that they must take increasing responsibility for the skills they bring into birth if they want their birth to be natural. Making choices of where and with whom to birth is not the same as bringing knowledge and skills into your birth regardless of where and with whom you birth." Common Knowledge Trust "Unfortunately, the role of obstetrics has never been to help women give birth. There is a big difference between the medical discipline we call "obstetrics' and something completely different, the art of midwifery. If we want to find safe alternatives to obstetrics, we must rediscover midwifery. To rediscover midwifery is the same as giving back childbirth to women. And imagine the future if surgical teams were at the service of the midwives and the women instead of controlling them." Michel Odent, MD "Only about 15% of medical interventions are supported by solid scientific evidence...This is partly because only 1% of the studies in medical journals are scientifically sound and partly because many treatments have not been assessed at all." Richard Smith, editor of the British Medical Journal "Having a highly trained obstetrical surgeon attend a normal birth is analogous to having a pediatric surgeon babysit a healthy 2-year-old." M. Wagner |
If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it. A Doula is a trained person who is able to support a family during pregnancy, birth and early parenting. A Doula is almost always a woman who often has had children of her own. The role of a Doula encompasses many things and will not be exactly the same for any 2 families. For some a Doula will take photos during birth, massage, bring hot or cold packs, food and drink, guide a womans breath and visualisation during birth. This also allows other birth support people, typically the babes father or the grandmother etc, to simply be with the birthing mother and provide their entire focus and support without worrying about what they 'should do'. For other families a Doulas role may be more of a hands off supportive role, perhaps showing the father or aunt pain relief techniques, encouragement, and helping with other children. A Doula can also serve as a sounding board. Whilst Doulas are not medically trained, we do have a working understanding of how birth tends to flow, pros and cons of standard interventions and so can discuss these with the family before the birth, and during birth a Doula can serve as an advocate. If interventions are being offered that the mother had wished to avoid then a Doula may ask care providers for more information and some time for the family to discuss it. For example if a family birthing in hospital wishes for a Lotus Birth (which involves not cutting the umbilical cord, allowing it to separate naturally) and the midwife or doctor offers the father some scissors to cut the cord, a Doula might politely remind the midwife that they wished for a Lotus Birth. A Doula does not replace the supportive role of the babes father, or other loved one who is also planning to provide the birthing mother support. In actuality a Doula supports the whole family, easing pressure and being another pair of hands who has done this before. Many men feel a little uncomfortable with the idea of a Doula as it seems that a Doula will simply replace him, however after the birth most men have really appreciated the Doula as she never interfered with his supportive role, but was able to provide reassurance and assistance as needed. Also in long births a Doula and other support people may tag team a bit so everyone can have some rest and refreshment, without leaving the mother alone. What about a Doulas role during a homebirth? What will a Doula do that the midwife doesn't? In a homebirth situation, the mother will usually contact the Doula first. They will typically spend some time together at home allowing the groove of birthing to flow, go for a walk, set up the birthing pool, make and eat some food. Sometimes this is when any anxieties may come to a head, and a Doula is there to support the mother and help her work through it. When it is time the midwife is rung and will organise an appropriate time to come and check on everyone. A Doula also allows the midwife to focus on the mother and babes well being, again the midwifes role is supported by a Doula. There is also the cleanup and settling after birth where the Doula can help. After all what parent really wants to go and empty the birth pool when they has just witnessed their partner in all her amazing glory, birthing their child? Or get the drinks she will be wanting, and the food? A Postpartum Doula offers her skills, knowledge and support once the baby is born. She understands how a womans body is after birth, and its return to non pregnancy. She also knows about newborn babies and how their bodies get used to functioning on their own. She can offer information and assistance with breastfeeding, settling techniques, sleeping, food and drink for breastfeeding mothers, and all sorts of other things that come up after birth. Just as importantly she will help with a bit of household work while everyone finds their feet, hanging up some washing, fixing lunch, and the like. She can also suggest other health professionals as appropriate such as chiropractors, lactation consultants, G.Ps, naturopaths, etc. Claire is training with Childbirth International for certification as both a Birth and Postpartum Doula, and expects to be completed early in the new year. Whilst training Claire can offer all the services of a Doula at a heavily discounted rate. She can also offer particular assistance with VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean), Lotus Birth, Co Sleeping, Babywearing, Attachment Parenting, Tandem Breastfeeding of toddlers and newborns, Elimination Communication, and can assist with approaching parenting with Steiner/Anthroposophical theory in mind. Above all else Claire believes in supporting families to find and follow their own parenting path be it their first child or 7th. For those interested in Birth and Postpartum Doula Services a combination package will be available upon Claires certification. There will also be a package available including Doula services, and your choice of a Cocoon. If you have any questions or would like to talk about Claire being your Doula, please call 04050 167 711 or email indigococoons@yahoo.com.au "When you have come to the edge of all the light you know and are
about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing
that one of two things will happen: there will be something solid to
stand on or you will be taught how to fly." Patrick Overter We've all been waiting for you. |
