Support from Alex: afterbabyfit.com / @aj.afterbabyfit

Support form Sandy: sweatandshineon.com / @sweatandshineon

Resource to find a certified Doula: DONA International

We introduce Marcela Rodriguez-Hill today, a doula along with friend and COO of Girl Scouts of Kansas City. What is a doula? A birth support person. Identifying the difference between a doula, midwife and doctor is also important. A doula does not have any medical responsibilities. A doula is there for physical and mental support. You engage a doula when you are pregnant if they are there for labor support and then there are also postpartum doulas that can help with mom and baby after delivery. Both roles provide the exact support that the mother needs for herself during the pregnancy, delivery and postpartum.

There can be some stigma with being a doula, and it’s assumed that you only need one if your desire is to give birth without medication. That is not the case, a doula can be helpful regardless or the type of delivery. Marcela has been a part of every type of birth – home birth, birth center, hospital, medicated, unmedicated, cesarean. It’s not an additional medical, it’s a knowledgeable advocate for the mom.

Marcela became a doula because she was volunteering with a non-profit that worked with first time moms in under serviced communities. She was there until the baby was born for the mom and then someone would come help the baby.

Marcela hired a doula for her delivery because she wanted to support and wanted her partner to have support and knowing when to jump in. She needed to be pushed into certain situations to progress labor along.

How to approach a doctor about hiring a doula, especially if there are hesitancies. A good doula is silent when they need to be silent and vocal when they need to be vocal. They may be perceived by doctors as anti-medical but you need to find the right person. She helps to normalize someone’s experience and has a handle for what the couple may be most nervous about during the day. There is no right or wrong way to have a baby and it’s all about helping make it more comfortable and less stressful for the mom – physical and emotional support.

Regarding the cost and experience of doulas – how do you decide? What are your needs? Maybe the first time it’s during labor and the second time it’s during the postpartum period because that is what is giving more stress. A lot of FSA accounts will reimburse you for the cost now. DONA International is the best place to find a certified doula. They have a questionnaire that you can use when interviewing a doula to find a good fit.