doula and epidural- worth it?

[Anonymous]

11:17 here, thanks for suggesting Suzanne McGowan, and Sara I will send you an email, thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:23:44 here. I think you are probably correct that a lot of doulas give lip service to supporting women's choices but in reality look down upon induction, epidurals, cesareans, etc. I think it's important for doulas to be honest with themselves and their clients about their feelings on these issues. But I also don't think you are giving some of us enough credit. There really are doulas out there who respect and support women's choices, and who work hard to educate themselves on the different birth options and why women might choose or needed them, and who are better able to separate their own beliefs/choices from those of their clients. I've spent a lot of time listening to women's birth stories, attending births, reading, and really challenging myself to see the many reasons why women want what they want -- and actually one of the reasons I like this message board is because it has helped me understand why women choose epidurals, and those reasons have often made a lot of sense to me. So I think it's worthwhile for women to probe further when they interview doulas -- some doulas will admit that they prefer to support natural birth and believe strongly that it is better for everyone (and those doulas get plenty of clients even without pretending to support all birth). But there are plenty of us who really just value women having births that are healthy and happy and that they feel good about, and we aren't lying or just trying to get clients when we say so.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a great post about how doulas can be really helpful for women who plan to use an epidural.
http://birthingbeautifulideas.com/?p=1654

I don't agree with the PP that the point of a doula is to prevent an epidural. I am a doula and I would never see my role as preventing an epidural. My role is to help the mother have a good birth and to have as many of her wishes respected, whatever those wishes may be. I've supported mothers who wanted epidurals, and who didn't want epidurals, and mothers who got epidurals, and didn't get them. I think there are some doulas out there who are judgmental about the use of pain medication, but a doula who is doing what she's supposed to be doing will support a mother's wishes no matter what.

Having been at births where epidurals were used, I can say that I stay very very busy when epidurals are used. Even when you receive pain medication, your need for emotional support and information continues. Also sometimes epidurals have side effects or wear off, and I can help mothers stay comfortable if this occurs. I can help suggest position changes so that the labor continues progressing. I can help the mother to rest and relax. A lot of times after an epidural everyone sort of focuses on the contraction monitor and I often do a lot to keep the focus on the mother and her experience and needs. I can also help the mother push effectively with the epidural. I can also help her in understanding what's happening in her body and to prepare for what's ahead. So there's lots to do.

I know doulas are typically associated with "natural" birth but personally I see our role as being there for the mother, to help her have a safe, healthy, happy birth, however she defines that, and no matter what her choices are.

This is exactly what I expected you to write. Of course you are going to advocate a position that will expand your pool of potential clients.

Another doula here, and I just want to say that it's not that we look down upon these things in and of themselves. There is truly an indication (ie, a true medical need) for every intervention available. The problem lies in the fact that many women come to us and say "I REALLY don't want to be induced" or "I really want to avoid a cesarean" and then they won't seem to acknowledge how the choices they make (care provider being a big important one!) lead them directly down the path they originally said they wanted to avoid. We see many interventions applied with absolutely no need, and we see many care providers lying about the side effects of those interventions. THAT is what we (I think...) have the biggest problem with. To be honest, if a woman came to me and said that she wanted me to help her through her planned elective cesarean, I feel that I could certainly help her with it as long as she hadn't been lied to regarding the risks and benefits. My only real desire for my clients is that they really understand the choices they make, that no one is pressuring them to do something they don't want to , and that they are making the best decisions for themselves.