A Doula Is A Timeless Resource, Not A Trend
There definitely are pregnancy trends, folks. We know this, right? Sometimes these trends become more-or-less permanent (finding out baby’s gender & having a baby reveal party). Sometimes these trends go away, making life better for everyone (did you know, btw, that the trend for twilight sleep during delivery was advocated for by feminists?).
Doulas, however, are not a trend. We might be new to many Americans, but our job is as old as childbirth itself and the research showing our benefits is modern enough to satisfy multiple impartial reviews. We are with women in birth, providing continuous & compassionate care. We hold space for her emotions, support her through difficult pain in ways her own intimate support network cannot; we amplify her own, beautiful, lucid voice as she enters motherhood.
We are listeners and observers, waiting to know the best way to make childbirth feel better and a woman feel as strong as she is (spoiler alert: this is very strong!). We are doers: grabbing that water bottle to keep a woman hydrated, kneeling down for hip compressions and back rubs, walking hallways & sidewalks with laboring women. We know when to step up and when to step back.
And over and over, we keep helping women achieve their birth objectives. As Megan Davidson, PhD puts it: “…improvements with doulas include increased rates of vaginal births & decreased numbers of Cesarean births, overall shorter labors, less use of Pitocin, less use of pain medication, less use of vacuums & forceps, higher Apgar scores at birth…and more success in chest/breastfeeding. Additionally, parents with doulas report more positive feelings about themselves and their infants.” None of these benefits seem like just a trend, right? They seem like a fabulous, permanent addition to any pregnancy tool kit.
In fact, to refer to the title of this post, the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists called doulas an “underutilized resource” a 2014 statement. Only 6% of American women used doulas in 2014; imagine how amazing the birth landscape could look in 2024 if we got that number up to 26%… or 56%… or (dare to dream!) 96%. I don’t know about you, but I’m all for more parents feeling positive about themselves and for better birth outcomes altogether!
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Related Reading/References:
When Dads Find Delivery Tough, A Doula Makes A Difference
Megan Davidson quote: “Your Birth Plan: A Guide to Navigating All of Your Choices in Childbirth,” p. 93