Do You Doula?

What I am truly thankful for in this process of gearing up to give birth (I'm now 37 weeks), is the fact that, even with my limited funds, I can have an advocate in my corner to help me to make informed choices and to have my back whatever those choices may be.

A doula or woman who serves is a trained professional (but NOT an OB/GYN, midwife or nurse) who provides support for a woman before, during and just after birth. Doulas can provide comforting touch, techniques to ease pain and make labor go smoother, give you information before the birth about things that may happen and give you the tools to make your own informed choice and give you the power to use your choices and your voice to your healthcare provider about how you want your birth experience to go. Essentially, she provides and helps those around you to provide the all too important non-medical support you need while you transition into motherhood.

Doulas are not a new trend, but an old and ancient tradition that has resurfaced in recent years. Unfortunately, sometimes the cost of having a doula can be out of most of our price range, but some doulas who truly just want to help you have the best birthing experience possible are willing to work with your budget (or lack therefof).

Women of color (specifically, Black women) are on the lowest end of the almost every statistic when it comes to natural birthing. We are the highest in having cesareans and the lowest in breast feeding after birth. Most of that comes from not feeling as if we have choices in the way we give birth and care for our children. Having real, professional and educated support outside of our medical provider is rare in our communities. We believe that the doctor knows best and don't learn how to trust our bodies or our babies. When infections or illness come into the picture, we don't get information about dietary changes and herbal alternatives from the doctor and lots of us do not know that there are natural things we can do in order to even do the research on our own. This can leave us open to lots of side effects that can mean pregnancy and labor complications, allergic reactions and resistance to other medications in the future

Doulas can help you to sort out all the wives' tales from the facts. She won't make the decisions for you, but can give you all the info you need to make your own decisions. A doula can help you realize and utilize the power that you have in your mind, body and spirit to bring your precious baby into the world and care for them the best you possibly can.

To begin researching doulas (in California) you can begin with MY doula, Derah,  here.