Doula Dad?

DOULA DAD? 

Can it be  such a thing? 

I am asked pretty often by Expecting fathers "Why do we need a doula"? I have to remind them there is more to being a doula than standing in the room. Having a doula present is invaluable. The misunderstanding is they believe the Nurse, Physician or Midwife will be able to help them in all situations. You have to understand if your not the only patient in labor their time is divided between all patients. The staff are really clinicians. Their goal is to make sure you and baby are healthy not to make sure your baby isn't sunnyside up, in a funky position that is stalling labor or your anxious about something.  As Your Doula we offer so much to the birth not just telling a mom to breath. Consider this for me. We offer comfort measures, affirming, we also assist mom during labor. We can pick up on if labor has changed course. We fight for a little time to allow your body to respond to changes made. Dad, this doesn't take away from your love and affection. We as doulas acknowledge it, value it and we tap into it when is necessary.

Dad, when you have a doula you have a team member. You know your wife better than anyone. The Doula will rely on this knowledge. We Doulas are their to support, encourage, advocate and create an environment that is best for you and your family as you welcome your little bundle of joy. You will not be left out; this will allow you to experience the birth instead of working during the birth. It can be hard work trying to remember did I give her water? Did she change positions? does baby like this position? What to do to offer her comfort?Why do they want to break her water? There is a lot more to being a doula than people know. We know how things are going while your beautiful wife is laboring. We know when to suggest she should get in to the shower etc.

Doulas do more than rub your feet and back. We don't just sit at your wife bed side. I make sure every Family has what is best. If your wife isn't comfortable with having an IV, If its not medically necessary I will  provide you all with the information to make sure she doesn't have the IV. You don't want to do your vaccine at hospital you would like your family physician to handle this, I am there to remind the staff of this plan. You want a delayed cord clamp. I am not caught in the moment I am their repeating "delayed cord clamp" until they acknowledge what I have said.  I am there to make sure you are able to benefit from ever right and joy in birth.

You should never have to be concern about anything. The Doula will make sure you are updated and informed when it is necessary. Why worry? Why not enjoy the best day of your life. Birth is an experience for you and your family enjoy it and allow the doula to support you.

Peaceful Birthing Doula is a company that Educate, Encourage, Serve and Support families in Labor, Birth and Postpartum recovery. Do not be concerned about a Doula taking a moment from you. Allow her to support you both. Enjoy and experience that you can never take back you Childs Birth.


Please do not hesitate to call or email me for any questions.

Tunisia Macklin,

Peaceful Birthing Doula

Educate, Encourage, Empower and Serving Women

http://www.peacefulbirthingdoula.com

peacefulbirthingdoula@gmail.com

(630)481-6079

www.peacefulbirthingdoula.com

www.facebook.com/peacefulbirthingdoula

www.twitter.com/peacefulbdoula

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Born To Birth

Born to Birth

This Mom is very strong in appearance, athletic and in no way does she look like she is soon to deliver. After speaking with her Mother about their expectation and why she is screening Doulas I was excited knowing this family is prepared and fully conscious of the benefits of having a doula support during this precious moment.

This Mom and Dad you could tell are a quite but strong team. After speaking with them you hear the excitement in their voice for the year they are experiencing.

After 41 weeks Mom and Dad have patiently waited to meet their baby Boy. Labour was easy for this Mom. I laughed because she completely confused me. I arrived at her home to asses the situation, to see if she in fact was in labour. She had been experiencing contractions for days off and on again. There had been no steady pattern and according to her no strength. Once I arrived and observed her quietly i realized It was official she is in labour. However, her pain threshold is very high.

After going for a walk and doing some squats with a little laughter and silliness thrown in there started a great pattern. this mother truly was strong. I realized this Momma was a runner. she had run many 5k's and a marathon. I had to remember when you train for marathons you have to push past that burn. you have to tolerate pain mentally in a different way. We laughed when I told "her you have complete confused me I have to deal with you in a different way. Your threshold for pain is unlike any Mother I have ever assisted".

As she rested in the bedroom to prepare for the labour marathon I relaxed and got me some sleep. While rested with massage and the soft aroma of lavender going  I was surprised she was able to sleep through the night. I was finally told around 7am "I am more uncomfortable but I am still able to manage". Not much later did I finally hear the words I'm ready to go to the hospital. Everyone heads over to the hospital ready to finally meet baby Justice. It was great arriving and finding out Mom is 5cm dilated. All the work and rest helped baby make his way closer to hi Mom and Dad.

Dad had been calm from the very moment I met him. He always have had calm demeanor. This Mom and Dad have had a start to a great year and to add the ready to give birth of their Baby boy on the day They were hoping for some exciting. Nothing shook this family no matter what the Dr. said they were calm and confident that everything was under control.

This Mom is ready to give birth to her baby Boy. After some work and determination Mom gave birth to her Baby Boy with a little assistance and love. Baby Justice had another plan and Mom and Dad was ready for every challenge with confidence and love. It was so beautiful watching this Mom go on this journey and experience her baby entering this world.

10 ways you can benefit from hiring a Doula

10 ways you can benefit from hiring Doula

I remember when I was pregnant I thought I had it all under control. I completed my DONA Doula training and 2 weeks later I was pregnant after trying for several years and recovering from an ectopic 1 year prior. Yay!! Right??

I sat down and discussed with the Hubby that it only makes since to have a Doula. The Doula needs a Doula. Well, my Husband and lovely Mother convinced me that they could work as a great power house team and help me to achieve all my Birthing goals. I labored at home while my husband slept for a while. I felt that if I allow him to rest he will have the necessary energy during the big show. Plus Macks our wonderful Golden Retriever walked with me and stayed with me the entire time I labored at home. Needless to say my Husband was wonderful but not as effective as I needed him to be.

I labored for 22 hours and pushed for 3 hours with wonderful family support. How ever not the necessary support to prevent me from over working, not finding comfort on the contractions and not preventing the epidural.

Yes, the doula had an epidural. I hate to say it but “If I would have had a doula she would have kept me focused, relaxed and managing my level of discomfort as well as reminding me to change position because my daughter was OP and that’s why I had such uncomfortable back labor. I think I could have managed without the epidural”.

Many do not see the importance of having a doula.  We are a necessary part of the birthing community.

There are some who need it more that others and we are needed by families for various reasons.

Here is 10 ways you benefit from having a doula:

1.      You receive consistence non-judgmental support during pregnancy.

2.      You receive unlimited continuous support during labor & delivery

3.      Take the feeling of being overwhelmed assist in Feel more secure & cared for

4.      Results in shorter labor with fewer complications

5.      Reduces the need for Pitocin, forceps, vacuum extraction, episiotomy & cesarean.

6.      Reduces mother’s request for pain medications & or epidural

7.      Have greater success with breastfeeding

8.      Necessary resources to assist in making sound decisions.

9.      Assistance with creating your birth plan

10.   Assistance navigating the birthing system

As a Doula, I work with the mother. Most do not realize we also work with the Dad as well. It really depends on Dad comfort leave dealing with managing experiences like delivery. I work with Dad in many ways. I am there to remind dad tell mom she is beautiful, you Love her and she is doing a great job. I also remind Dad to eat, sleep you have to keep your energy up. Give family updates. I also take picture of those wonderful and powerful moments you don’t even realize you have.

 I have had dad’s stay at the head of the bed and just hold moms hand the entire time. If you’re a Mom who need more interaction then a Doula would be great.

 If dad is one who is not a very affectionate person and not one for many words and you need verbal encouragement, words of affirmation and physical touch to help get you through then hiring a Doula is a great path to venture.

If your partner is everything and you just simply do not want him doing anything else just stay by your side the Doula can make sure your other needs are taking care of. Reminding you to breath, change position if you are experience certain contractions or if you need to remind dad when to take charge when staff is coming around and decisions are needed and you just don’t understand what choices you have.

The Doula isn’t there to take anybody place. We are there to help your experience be as close to your birth plan as possible. We are you enforcer, task master, coordinator and your source of caring and compassion. We are who you need us to be in addition to being your Doula.

If you have been considering a Doula feel free to schedule a consultation with me and see if we will be a good fit for one another. www.peacefulbirthingdoula.com

Tunisia Macklin
Peaceful Birthing Doula
Educate, Encourage, Empower and Serving Women
http://www.peacefulbirthingdoula.com
peacefulbirthingdoula@gmail.com
(630)481-6079

www.peacefulbirthingdoula.com

www.facebook.com/peacefulbirthingdoula

www.twitter.com/peacefulbdoula

www.instagram.com/peacefulbdoula

Email peacefulbirthingdoula@gmail.com  

Birthing your little one is a beautiful experience make sure you enjoy it. You will never forget. Make sure your memories are as precious as your little one.

For information on fact based information on hiring a doula

http://evidencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-for-doulas/

http://dona.org

http://doulamatch.net  

to review testimonies from Mom’s I’ve worked with

http://doulamatch.net/profile/6185/tunisia-macklin