Doula Hula

I have decided to hire a doula for this birth.

First let me explain a few things. I consider myself moderate on the "granola" scale. I am kind of a blend of mainstream and granola. Though my midwives suggested a doula for my last birth, I felt that hiring a doula was probably best left to those women who are further down on the granola scale; the ones that don't shave their legs and wear patchouli oil and dreadlocks. I wanted a natural birth experience, but I thought of a doula as being unnecessary in achieving that.

I did have a natural birth experience last time without a doula. And as a veteran of natural childbirth, I now have a different perspective. As I grow closer to giving birth again and begin to contemplate the kind of birth experience I want this time, I believe having a doula attend my birth will help me have an even more fulfilling and rewarding natural birth experience.

A huge component of me making this decision is becoming more aware of the maternity care crisis that spans nationally as well as locally. Here in Philadelphia, maternity wards are closing faster than you can sneeze, and we are losing our best doctors because of insurance issues. I am fortunate to have happened upon one of the only practices in the city that employs both doctors and midwives. A rarity both in this country as well as my region. Doctors and midwives approach childbirth differently and it is uncommon to find them working closely together. I feel that the emphasis in this country is on good prenatal care and a safe and convenient birth. But what gets left in the dust is the actual labor support. Women are largely left on their own to cope with it. The labor "support" offered in most hospitals is the epidural. Beyond that, there is little a typical medical staff will or can do to help support a woman psychologically, emotionally and physically through labor if she chooses not to have a medicated birth.

Even though I will be delivering with the midwives in my OB practice, because of the lack of maternity care in the city due to maternity ward closings, the hospitals and birthing centers are overbooked, crowded and swamped. And the midwives and doctors are not able to give as much individual care to their patients as before.

This is where a doula will come in handy. She fills that gap. She will be the labor support that is so critically needed. Traditionally, since ancient times, labor support was provided by the other women of the family or the community. It is only with the advent of hospitalized births that the place of the "doula" or labor support has fallen through the cracks.

The only choice left for me to face now is who to pick! I have already met some remarkable women who I would trust completely to attend my birth and do everything in their power to ensure I have the birth experience I am aiming for. I look forward to reporting on my experience when it is all said and done!