June 17th, 2009 CTDA met with expectant Moms at Babies "R" Us, Gateway/Arboretum. Before the doulas spoke, there was a presentation about Medela pumps. Many of the doulas contributed information and shared experiences with breastfeeding, pumps, milk storage, etc. Lisa Houser summed it all up by saying "breastfeeding is natural, but it isn't always easy" and that it is important to seek out support.
Melia Gordan introduced CTDA, our brochure and website. She spoke about doulas in general, and the differences between birth and postpartum doulas. She mentioned that there is a doula for everyone- no matter your budget, personality, religion, birth or parenting philosophy.
Allison Coleman shared more information about postpartum doulas. We meet parents prior to the birth of their baby. We listen. We share breastfeeding and baby soothing techniques. We do light housekeeping or errands. We grocery shop and cook, ensuring the new Mom has the nutritious meals she needs. She spoke about other cultures having a circle of knowledgeable helpers, and new Moms, and families, deserve that here too.
Tiffany Bartlett spoke about birth doulas. Having a birth doula has been shown to decrease a laboring woman's need for medication. We create a relaxing environment. We reassure, encourage Mom to listen to her body, suggest positions that may help her progress, massage. However, if a Mom chooses medication we are still a valuable presence: we are caring, accepting, listening and answering questions, and helping pass the time. Our role of advocate is unchanged, and we seek out Mom's preferences, her voice, in the present moment and in her wishes expressed in her birth plan and in our prenatal visits. We are there with our clients through all of it.
Lisa Houser elaborated on our role of advocate. She explained it starts prenatally by being available to answer our clients questions. We loan books, and we share evidence-based information that empowers them to make choices they are comfortable with. We assist them with creating a birth plan, respecting their choices and acknowledging those choices may change during a labor journey. We facilitate communication with their medical team during labor by encouraging our clients to ask questions and express their preferences.
Afterwards, we stayed to chat with a few Moms and answer questions.
Blog and photography by Sarah Webb.
