Doulas are for the birth team.
Doulas create connections with the whole birth team: laboring person, partner, their family, birth professionals, their taxi driver and so on. We all work towards the same goal: a beautiful, powerful birth experience
Doulas add and connect, don’t take away from anyone.
Doulas are not just for women. Birthing people come in every shape and form. At Juno births everyone is welcome, acknowledged, seen and heard. Everyone deserves the best birth experience they can get.
Doulas help you discover your inner wishes, walking with you through your path, so you can be in charge of your birth experience.
Doulas offer a great support for the partner as well.
Asking your partner to be the sole guide through labor is like asking for your partner to lead the way on a climb of Mt. Everest. Your partner may be smart and trustworthy, and you love this person, but in the Himalayas you’ll both be better off with a Sherpa.
Pam England
Often we have this image of a supportive partner, who is there for the birthing person and will coach them during labor.
While this still might be a reality, we need to take into consideration that the partner is also going through a life-changing event, and they too are emotionally involved. This might make the ‘coaching’ not optimal for the birthing person. Doulas can keep the partner calm, so they can experience the birth of their child to the fullest.
Doulas are a support for the partner as well. While taking birth education classes together, the doula showed the partner how they can be supportive and help the laboring person. A doula at birth will help partners be the best support they can be, helping with techniques, giving suggestions and advice.
Doulas speak ‘labor’. Sometimes medical professionals say things the birthing couple doesn’t understand, the doula can explain or prompt the birthing couple to ask follow-up questions.
Doulas can give partners a break. Doulas will be there when the partners leave shortly to get some fresh air, make a phone call or grab a bite. This way labor support won’t be disrupted, partners won’t feel guilty for leaving, and the birthing person will be cared for.
Doulas provide emotional support for both the partner and the birthing person.
photo credit: Photo by SHVETS production from Pexels
