Part 2: Selecting a Doula in Palm Desert: You’re Giving Birth…is your care team complete?
As you get closer to your birthing time, you may be feeling the pull to check off the items you think the baby will need once you are holding him/her. You may want the nursery set up, the infant clothing washed and the diapers and wipes purchased. And at the same time, what kinds of preparation have you been doing to make sure you are ready for your birthing time, that you have the care providers you want present at your birth, that you have prepared on some level for what you would like your birth to look like? Do you feel confident in your care team? Has your medical provider (OB, Midwife) discussed what happens should you not go into labor after 40 weeks? Do you feel you and your care provider are on the same page about the particular interventions you have discussed? Do you have supplemental members of your care team like a doula to assist you during your birth?
A lot of birthing mothers and their partners choose to find a doula in Palm Desert to help get ready for birth as well as support during birth, whether you choose to labor in a hospital or birthing center. I like to share with the clients I’m working some of the reasons I find doulas to be so important in the birthing process:
1. They have many at many, many births. Although they are not medical professionals, they have been trained in what labor and birth looks like and their training includes how to help you have the birth you’ve discussed with them. Medical professionals in most hospital settings are often unknown persons to a birthing mother; they most likely will not have already met the nurses or doctors caring for them, even if you have seen the same OB throughout your prenatal care visits.
2. Doulas can help you advocate for yourself because they have been at many, many births. They know when a particular procedure is routine and when one may be worth investigating further with your medical providers before you consent. As a patient, you have the right to informed consent and you have the right to ask more questions about the risks and benefits of whatever may be being offered.
3. Creating a relationship with a doula before your birth can help you and your birthing partner, whether that is your spouse/partner, family member or another supportive person, get clear on what roles you would like each person to play in the labor and delivery time. You can explore how your doula can support you as the birthing mom as well as the dynamics that exist between each of you. In creating a plan together, your doula can help remind each other gently of the wishes you discussed together.
In addition to providing prenatal visits and attending your birth, a doula in Palm Springs often can provide additional services like placenta encapsulation, lactation support, scheduling at least one postnatal visit and/or supporting you in the postpartum period as a postpartum doula; supporting you, your newborn and your new family unit. Having assistance in the earliest days postpartum can be very helpful in terms of your physical recovery and mental health outcomes in the months and years ahead.
If you are wanting support in locating a particular type of doula in Palm Desert and don’t know how to begin, reach out to me! I would be happy to help get you connected. Feel free to call me at 805-930-9355 for a free 15 minute phone consultation. I’d be happy to hear your thoughts and help connect you with the right doula for you. If you are looking for help with pregnancy, postpartum, pregnancy loss, infertility, birth trauma or hypnotherapy, you can read more about how I can help within this website.
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Thoughts from your Therapist Palm Desert
Consider adding a doula in Palm Desert to your birthing care team. Contact Lauren Fox, therapist in Palm Desert for referrals.