What's your experience with doulas?

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

  1. Do you think having a doula improves delivery outcomes?

    • 36
      Yes, it's a great idea for all involved.
    • 1
      Only if staffing is lousy, and that's not predictable.
    • 8
      Can't say, because I know nothing about doulas.
    • 11
      No, what a waste of money.

56 members have participated

I'm an RN who has had plenty of experience in post-partum, L&D recovery, nursery, and in the wellness area in general, (plus other nursing experience.) I am curious to see a surge (can I use that word?) in the use of doulas in our area. Women want to choose a wise support person, my words, who will be certain to attend their birth. The numbers say that there's a huge cost savings when a doula is used. Of course there may be self selection, in that women who want a doula aren't looking for a scheduled C-section, for example. What is your experience with doulas? Are they generally very competent and helpful to both staff and their patient? Do you think it's a good idea, overall, for women to have a doula?

I think those standard doula phrases "Can you tell us more about that?" and "Did you have any questions [for the doctor] about that?" can come off as the doula "pushing" the mother.

I think doulas are wonderful (I'm sure there are exceptions, but I haven't met any exceptions yet ;) ). I'm starting nursing school in the fall and I am taking my labor doula training this summer (through CAPPA) and plan to be certified before I finish nursing school. I think just to have that background as a doula will be helpful as a RN in L&D.

I think those standard doula phrases "Can you tell us more about that?" and "Did you have any questions [for the doctor] about that?" can come off as the doula "pushing" the mother.

That's really too bad if some people interpret that as 'pushing' the mother. I think it's just helping the mother to have the opportunity to ask for more information. To find out about side effects, other alternatives, etc. that routinely aren't mentioned.

If I had an advocate like that with my first, I'm sure that I wouldn't have ended up with a c-section.

Having an advocate and an amazing midwife contibuted to my natural VBAC the second time around.

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I don't take these questions personally or as pushy. I see them as advocating for the birthing family. I am always happy to answer questions, for doulas, family members and of course, the patients. I will answer the same question over and over, if that is what it takes to help them understand and trust me. That is my job.

I think that there are no hard and fast rules every labour is different and every labouring woman is different. I have loads of stories for and against epidurals. All I got to say is that I belive that the epidural rate is much higher in the states than the UK BUT the cs rate is about the same between the two UK may be 1% lower so if the labouring woman wants an epidural why not - ok it might not be what she hoped for but it has a good chance of helping. We should not dictate just support and inform.

AMEN! Many patients have preconceived ideas either for or against epidurals from other "horror stories" they have heard (either about the epidural or of laboring without an epidural). I just try to make sure they are able to make a well informed decision, that even with an epidural birth will most likely not be pain free, but that they shouldn't get paralyzed from the epidural either.

I think those standard doula phrases "Can you tell us more about that?" and "Did you have any questions [for the doctor] about that?" can come off as the doula "pushing" the mother.

Hmmm... I've been thinking about this for a while now. It is encouraging informed consent I think. and putting that responsibility squarely in the doctors lap where it belongs. When the doula goes to do the postpartum visit at moms house the last thing we like to hear is "I didn't know X could do Y" - things like ROM = not being allowed to leave the hospital after being checked and AROM causing FHT's to go immediately to 60 :smackingf So yup I do say those sometimes. Not to push but to make sure they get the information they need to make decisions.

Yes, I think those are great questions. I'm just saying that I know those ARE seen as pushy by some nurses and doctors.

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