GRAND Magazine - September 2009 - 29

Doula Developments Six randomized studies have shown that the use of doulas has • reduced the need for pain medications during delivery by 30 percent • reduced the usage of pitocin for induced labor by 40 percent • decreased the number of C-sections by as much as 50 percent DONA International , the nation’s largest certification organization for doulas, also certifies postpartum doulas, who come to the home to assist with newborn care and do light household work to allow the parents to focus solely on the new baby. Walters says the presence of the doula made a real difference. “The delivery nurses took care of the progress of delivery and health of the baby, so the doula was able to concentrate on Jennifer—her pain management and relaxation techniques,” Walters explains. “The doula took control of our ‘assignments,’ so we all had a job to do to keep Jennifer focused on completely relaxing between contractions.” This is a stark contrast to Walters’ own birthing story. She spent six weeks attending Lamaze classes before giving birth to Jennifer but still never felt prepared. Walters recalls, “It was a long, painful experience without drugs or much support. I’m thankful that Jennifer and Tony had the opportunity to be coached before labor and then were able to actually benefit from the training during delivery.” Doulas often have Lamaze training themselves, which they put to use during a woman’s delivery, helping her put into play methods she might have learned in a class but is hardpressed to remember while pacing the halls of a hospital maternity ward. “It’s important to understand that a doula is not a medical professional—not a nurse, OB or midwife,” says Burns. “We are there to provide the above-mentioned support only and leave fetal heart rate monitoring, vaginal exams and taking vital signs, etc., to the medical staff.” When medical staff dictate a change, doulas are there to facilitate. Donna Doman of Newbury Park, California, traveled more than 300 miles to daughter Summer’s home in Berkeley for the home birth of her granddaughter, Zadie Louise. Doman was informed that a doula would be there, but she didn’t know what to expect. Doman’s initial reservation about a home birth was that something would go wrong. But SEPTEMBER just the birth of their grandchild but a pivotal moment in the lives of their children. Sharon Craig Economides, a certified nurse midwife and doula who works with Awakenings Birth Services in San Francisco , says, “With a close relationship between a doula and/or midwife and the pregnant woman, a grandparent has her concerns addressed during her child’s pregnancy, birth and postpartum.” Click and connect to more resources instantly where you see this symbol:  2009 GRAND 29
http://www.dona.org/ http://www.awakeningsbirthservices.com/Site/AwakeningsBirthServices.html
GRAND Magazine - September 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of GRAND Magazine - September 2009
