FAQ
Why would I want a doula?
A doula stays with you continuously throughout labor. Even if a partner and family is present a doula can relieve them if they are to tired or need to go to the bathroom, cafeteria or take a nap. Furthermore a doula can help facilitate breathing exercise and guide the partner in helping the mother with labor techniques. A doula can be an excellent source of information when changes in labor occur and decisions about medication or procedures need to be made. More then anything the doula provides comfort, emotional support and reassurance to the mother, partner and other family members.
When during the pregnancy should a Doula be contacted?
Typically a doula is contacted 3 to 4 months before the birth, providing plenty of time to get to know each other during prenatal visits. You should not feel limited by this timeline, if you would like the support of a Doula throughout the course of your pregnancy, you can get in touch with one as early as you wish and work out a meeting arrangement. Perhaps you just want to be able to email and call the doula during your early months but do not want to do visits and intensive planning till later on. On the other hand you might want to spread out the planning over the course of all nine months and would like the doula’s knowledge and helping hand in doing so. Whatever route you wish to pursue a doula is willing to work with you in helping you attain your desired birth goals.
What is an epidural?
An epidural is a procedure that can be done during labor to decrease or eliminate the pain felt during contractions. This procedure is done by an anesthesiologist or a nurse-anesthetist. The spinal cord, spinal nerves and spinal fluid is encapsulated in a membrane called the dura. An area on the lower back along the spine is first numbed and then a needle is inserted between the lumbar vertebrae in to the epidural space, an area just above the dura. The medicine can be injected once using the needle, or a small plastic tube (catheter) can be threaded through the needle and left underneath the skin, this allows the medication to be administered continuously or with the push of a button (Simkin 278).
The procedure can take between 15-45 minutes and the mother usually starts to feel the effect within 15-30 minutes. Some women find that the epidural takes away all pain while others find the relief to be incomplete. Depending on the strength and placement of the epidural the mother may still be able to move around with assistance from her partner, nurse or Doula, in other cases she may be completely bed ridden. The epidural can cause maternal fever, slow labor, cause blood pressure changes and trouble with breast-feeding initiation.