There are so many pieces of information new parents need to keep track of, it feels overwhelming and unmanageable. Most new parents know they need a medical team; we’re talking OBGYNs and nurses.
But did you know, there are other support people, such as a doula, you can include as part of your care team. Doulas work hand in hand with your doctors, to help you during your pregnancy and postpartum experience? And doula services are covered by insurance (check your coverage here, today).
Keep reading as we break it all down for you. Here you will learn:
- What is a doula?
- What role do birth doulas play in your pregnancy care?
- What role do postpartum doulas play in your postpartum care plans?
What’s a doula?
Let’s start with the basics; giving you a doula definition. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, doulas are “non-clinical professionals who provide physical, emotional, and informational support to people before, during, and after pregnancy. Doulas can support people through many aspects of reproductive health, including menstruation, fertility, pregnancy, abortion, miscarriage, labor and delivery, stillbirth, breastfeeding, postpartum care, and end of life care.”
But what does that actually mean? Let’s break it down.
Think of a doula as your personal guide during pregnancy, labor and postpartum. Doulas are not your medical providers; they are trained individuals who collaborate and work alongside your OBGYNs, nurses and midwives to help you, the birthing parent, navigate the healthcare system.
Every pregnancy journey, birth experience and postpartum experience is different. Having a doula dedicated to supporting you and your partner, can take away some of your stress and anxieties that come along with new parenthood. Here are some examples as to how they can help you have a positive experience:
- Doulas help you understand what’s happening during pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum
- Doulas give you comfort and encouragement during childbirth
- Doulas help with relaxation techniques and pain management during delivery
- Doulas help you clearly communicate your choices and desires with the rest of your care/support team
- Doulas can give your guidance on newborn care and breastfeeding after the baby is born
What Role Do Birth Doulas Play in Your Pregnancy Care?
Our Flourish Care birth doulas work with your medical care team, each focusing on their areas of expertise to provide you with the best possible care and experience. Birth doulas can help you throughout your entire pregnancy journey. During your pregnancy, doulas can help you come up with a birthing plan, answer any questions you have during the 10 months of pregnancy and help you communicate with your medical providers.
During labor, a doctor-doula partnership can reduce your risk of having your baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, lower your chance of having an unnecessary or unwanted c-section, reduce birth inequities and help you feel like you had the birthing experience you wanted.
Your doctor will handle all medical decisions and procedures that need to take place. But, the doctors and nurses aren’t in your hospital room the entire time you are in labor; they have other patients and responsibilities to attend to while you are laboring. Therefore, a doula can act as a second set of hands and eyes to help both you and your doctors better understand what is happening.
Labor is a process and takes time (sometimes days) and having a doula also helps take some of the pressure and stress off your partner (the non-birthing parent).
Here are a few ways doulas help both you, your partner and your doctors during the labor process:
- Doulas provide you with continuous support, staying with you during your entire labor
- Doulas can quickly alert your medical team if/when they see any changes in your progress
- Doulas can help explain any confusing medical terms or procedures so you and your partner have a clear understanding of what is going on
- Doulas can help you and your partner explain your preferences when it comes to labor and delivery
- Doulas can help with comfort measures like breathing techniques, position changes and massage during labor
- Flourish Care birth doulas will not contradict doctor’s recommendations, but instead help you and your partners better understand why doctors are giving you those recommendations and help you stay calm during any changes that may take place.
What Role Do Postpartum Doulas Play in Your Postpartum Care Plans?
While birth doulas are there to support you during your pregnancy and delivery, postpartum doulas are there to support you once the baby is born. Some birth doulas are also postpartum doulas. Yet, there are also specifically trained postpartum doulas who you can bring onto your support team post delivery.
Postpartum doulas help with your recovery after birth and assist in getting you and your partner settled into your new role as parents (or new role as parents of more than one kid).
Here are some specific ways postpartum doulas help in those first few weeks of new parent life:
- Postpartum doulas help with newborn care
- Postpartum doulas give you guidance on baby-related tasks (swaddling, diaper changing, sleeping)
- Postpartum doulas can help with light household tasks
- Postpartum doulas can help with breastfeeding support and refer you to breastfeeding specialists if needed
- Postpartum doulas can watch the baby for short periods of time during the day so you and your partner can rest
Postpartum doulas main focus is on helping you, the new parents, gain confidence in your abilities so you have a smooth transition into the role of parenting, The goal is to empower you and your partner to independently care for your newborn instead of taking over care for your newborn.
Both birth doulas and postpartum doulas are covered by most insurance plans in Rhode Island and MassHealth in Massachusetts. Click here to find out what free, insurance covered services you have access to. Let Flourish Care check your coverage today.