There was a time when expectant fathers were portrayed as anxious,
floor-pacing, cigar-smoking men who were tolerated in hospital corridors
until the long-awaited moment when a nurse or doctor would announce they
were the proud father of a daughter or a son. Today's expectant fathers
are different. When it comes to pregnancy, birth, and parenting,
today's father wants to share everything with his partner. He wants to be
actively involved; ease his partner's labor pain, welcome his baby at the
moment of birth and help care for his newborn at home. A labor Doula can
help a father experience this special time with confidence.
When a woman and her partner hire one of our Doulas, they enjoy extra
added benefits during not only their labor and delivery, but their
pregnancy and postpartum period as well.
Doulas of CNY offers partners a unique way of participating in their
child's birth beginning in pregnancy, getting to know their wants, desires
and hopes for the delivery of their baby. The Doula will assess how the
mother and partner would like to labor, drawing the partner in to the
planning process. Our Doulas can support you through doctor visits,
sonograms, amnios, or any other circumstances that might come up in which
you feel that extra support would be beneficial.
The Doula's calming and reassuring demeanor give partners the confidence
they need to participate at their own comfort level.
Childbirth classes are a
must, but when the actual labor is imminent, it can be very difficult for
partners to see their special women in what can be trying situations.
Doulas make suggestions regarding positions, comfort measures and help the
partner relax by knowing that Mom is additionally being cared for
exclusively, alongside the partner. Nurses come and go, Doulas are a
constant presence both for mother and partner. The Doula fills in where
the partner needs guidance, encouragement and support. Getting a meal,
drink for Mom, contacting family members, another set of hands, another
set of objective ideas, are just a few of the other ways a Doula
supports.
Today, a partner's participation in birth preparation classes or his
presence at prenatal visits and in the delivery suite is a familiar
occurrence. Yet, we sometimes forget that the expectations of his role
as a "labor coach" may be difficult to fulfill. Sometimes it is also
culturally inappropriate for an expectant father to be so intimately
involved in the process of labor and birth.
The father-to-be is expected among other things to become familiar with
the process and language of birth, to understand medical procedures and
hospital protocols and advocate for his partner in an environment and
culture he is usually unfamiliar with. Our Doulas will provide the
information to help parents make appropriate decisions and facilitate
communication between the laboring woman, her partner and medical care
providers.
At times a father may not understand a woman's instinctive behavior during
childbirth and may react anxiously to what a Doula knows to be the normal
process of birth. He may witness his partner in pain and understandably
become distressed. The Doula can be reassuring and skillfully help the
mother to cope with labor pain in her unique way. The Doula's skills and
knowledge can help him to feel more relaxed. The father-to-be may need to
accompany his partner during surgery should a cesarean becomes necessary.
Not all fathers can realistically be expected to "coach" at this intense
level.
The partner's presence and loving support in childbirth is comforting and
reassuring. The love he shares with the mother and his child, his needs to
nurture and protect his family are priceless gifts that only he can
provide. With her partner and a doula at birth a mother can have the best
of both worlds: her partner's loving care and attention and the Doula's
expertise and guidance in childbirth. Partners have different needs,
different thoughts about their special woman laboring, as well as thoughts
about their role as a coach and life partner. Sometimes other siblings
come along as well. Our Doulas have a soft spot for family and help guide
and encourage them through the birthing process with their special Doula
touch.
Physicians, midwives and nurses are responsible for monitoring labor,
assessing the medical condition of the1 mother and baby, and treating
complications when they arise. But childbirth is also an emotional and
spiritual experience with long-term impact on a woman's personal well
being. Our Doulas are constantly aware that the mother and her partner
will remember this experience throughout their lives.
The benefits of Doula care have been recognized worldwide. The Medical
Leadership Council of Washington, D.C, the Society of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists of Canada and the World Health Organization are among the
many healthcare organizations that value the benefits that Doulas provide
to women in labor. Doulas of CNY work with many local care providers,
hospitals and nursing staff and are welcomed when the arrive with a
couple.
PARTNERS and DOULAS…the greatest support for Mom and baby! |
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