Doula Training

Last weekend I attended doula training. This was the first step to certifying as a doula and it succeeded in making me even more excited than I already was. The training was three days in which we learned how to support a woman and her partner in labor. We learned a lot about modern obstetrical practice and the risks and benefits of obstetrical intervention, as well as the many options for pain relief--both medical and natural. The natural methods we learned included comfort techniques like counter-pressure, massage, relaxation and position changes. Our training even included how to help women that have epidurals and cesarean sections. I really enjoyed learning how to give positive verbal, emotional and physical support during labor in order to help women feel good about their birth experiences.

The entire thing was a huge affirmation for me. I have become used to hearing so many negative stories about birth, that I had started to think that I was odd to have thought that Matthew's birth was an incredibly amazing and empowering experience. In fact, this training reminded me of why I chose a natural birth with Matthew. In the summer of 2005, I performed in a community theater production of "Oklahoma." During that time I made friends with a fellow castmember that happened to mention in one of our talks, that she had given birth at a birth center. I had already thought that I wanted an unmedicated birth, but Dawn was the first person I had ever talked to that was enthusiastic about her birth experience. In addition, she made me feel confident that although the birth process was hard work--I could do it. So, Dawn led me to the Birth and Family Place; to my midwife, Rebecca Williams; to the Bradley method and to a lot of independent research. The more I researched, the more I was convinced that, for me and my baby, natural birth with a midwife was the best choice. The one thing that made the biggest impression on me throughout the whole preparation was how positive my midwife, my Bradley teacher and others in the "gentle birth" model were about birth. When "gentle birthers" (I am calling them this for lack of a better word) talked about birth they were incredibly educated about the risks and benefits of obstetrical intervention, as well as the alternatives to unnecessary obstetrical intervention. Most importantly, these women were overwhelmingly positive about birth and women's ability to give birth naturally.

This was the beginning of my interest in the birth process, and the doula training solidified my understanding of the birth process. Once again, I was struck by how positive birth can be when the family and care providers are supportive of a woman's ability to give birth without unnecessary obstetrical intervention. (I say unnecessary obstetrical intervention because there are certainly times when OB technology is necessary and a blessing. For women, the difficulty is in becoming educated about what things are done because of obstetrical tradition, hospital policy or convenience and what is medically necessary and evidence based.) That is one of the many things that I am learning more about as a I train to be a doula.

The other thing I loved about the doula training was finding other women who felt the same way that I did about birth. Previously, when I talked to people about birth, I felt a little like I was in some kind of weird counter-culture. It was almost as if people thought I was crazy to give birth without an epidural and as if I was anti-medicine or anti-doctor in some way. (And those that know my whole birth story, realize that I am definitely not anti-medical. I am very grateful for modern medical technology.) However, at the training I met extremely educated, normal, professional women (not hippies) that had done the same research I had and had come to the same conclusions. It was great.

My favorite idea from the training came from Kristi Ridd-Young, ICCE, CD(DONA) and president of the Midwives College of Utah: Our job as doulas is to help every woman and her partner have a positive memory of birth.

I love that idea--a job where I, by the things I do and say, can help people have positive memories about one of the most amazing experiences life has to offer.

So, after this rather longwinded explanation of my weekend, I want to leave my favorite birth quote: "We have a secret in our culture. . .and it's not that birth is painful. It's that women are strong." - Laura Stavoe Harm