Many moms have asked me what my philosophy of birth is. They want to know because if they choose me as their doula, they hope my philosophy of birth is compatible with theirs. My philosophy is: “It’s your birth”.
When I was pregnant, I had choices to make and preferences of my own. It was my birth then. As a doula, it is my goal to help a mother figure out what will help her to be most comfortable and feel the most supported. I answer her questions and support her with information, but she must make the decisions. Even during labor, she makes the decisions and I support her.
That is why I try to ask her before labor begins to talk to me about the major topics that will arise during her birth. (For example, what positions will she be comfortable pushing in, what is she most concerned about and how does she feel about having her water broken?) When she has looked at these questions beforehand, it makes it easier for her to make her decisions during labor. During her pregnancy, many people will tell her their preferences, including doctors, nurses and her friends. As her doula, it always comes down to: “It’s your birth!”
Tags: birth philosophy, labor support
I totally agree! I often tell my clients when they are at a crossroads and ask me, “What would you do?” that it doesn’t matter what I would do. Their care provider, the nurses, even the doula, won’t remember the details of her birth. This is HER birth, not mine, and the only thing I “want” her to do is to consider all options and choose which one is best for her, and what she’ll look back on as a good decision, well-made.