Working with Doulas

Baby Catcher · Mar 18, 2004

We don't have doulas where I work but I would love it. I had a pt. who's sister was a massage therapist and she acted as her doula and it was great. It's nice to know when I'm not in the labor room a supportive person is in there. Sometimes the RN is so busy getting everything ready that we can't be in the room the entire time. What I don't like is a failed home birth and the LAY midwive tries to tell us (including the MD) what to do. We only have lay midwives in this area. No formal training but learned from other lay midwives. That's a whole other thread.

JaneyW · Mar 18, 2004

I have only worked with a doula one time. She was very humble and helpful and it was fine. Just don't try to be the nurse--you aren't responsible for the patient, we are. We are required to chart quite often and have to assess our patients regularly. This doesn't mean we aren't sensitive to their needs for quiet or privacy. Be prepared for your client to change their minds about pain relief when they are in active labor and don't make them feel guilty for it. It is their pain--not yours.

Good luck. You will have a realistic view of what you will be getting into as a nurse!

rpbear · Mar 18, 2004

We have a doula group that is on call for our hospital, I think they are great. I alos agree witht the other poster that your job is different than ours. We try as hard as we can to stay within the birht plan, but sometimes it is medically impossible.

BabyRN2Be · Mar 18, 2004

We have a doula group that is on call for our hospital, I think they are great. I alos agree witht the other poster that your job is different than ours. We try as hard as we can to stay within the birht plan, but sometimes it is medically impossible.

I guess that I'm very different that other doulas. I'm totally understanding of the nurse's job. My mom was a nurse for many years and before I got into the doula aspect, I had a degree in speech language pathology (well, still do).

We are there for NON-medical comfort, something that the nurses can't do because a) they don't have time or b) SOME won't. I understand that job and since we are working as a team to help the mom, I won't interfere with the nurses. I've already come away from some doula meetings disgusted by some comment, a doula who was "bragging" that she didn't pass on a request for pain meds... I was angry. This was the mom's birth, NOT the doula's birth.

That's another way I differ from most doulas: I don't offer my opinions regarding pain meds. I support any way the mother choses to go.. pain meds, no pain meds, or wait 'n see. I don't go into every birth with the preconceived notion that she won't have meds, or with my own agenda in mind (i.e. - she's stated that she wants meds, but when she's in labor I'll do everything in my power to be sure she doesn't get them or I've failed as a doula - there are some who do this). Since I've been in the medical field and seen a lot of hospital births, I do know that when things in birth go wrong, they REALLY go wrong, and FAST... there's no time to argue a point on a birth plan when a life is potentially at risk.

That's another way I differ: birth plans. I remind my clients that they can chart out their wishes in the birth plan, but keep in mind that they might not go according to plan. Be flexible. And the saying that "the longer and more complex the birth plan, the greater the chance of the birth ending in a c/s" - I've found that to be more true than not.

I know that I'm not the perfect doula, but I just wanted to clear up a few misconceptions about doulas. There are several that play wannabe midwife/RN, do more harm than good and then the rest of us who aren't really that way, who understand the medical profession have a lot of "clean up" to do. We are there to help the patient, and in some ways, to help the nursing staff by answering/helping the patient - therefore diminishing the amount of call lights to the desk. In our hospital where I work as a volunteer, we are taught how to undo the monitors so the pt can go to the bathroom, walk around, etc. and then hook them up to the monitor again. We have been trained by the RN to do this, not doing this ourselves.

We would really like to be seen as a help to the nurses, not a hindrance, not competing for the job, etc. I know my place, however, there apparently are some who do not.

I know this is long, but I wanted to type out some of my feelings. FWIW, I'm not totally accepted in our doula group because I have an extensive medical background, and I don't buy into the "you really haven't given birth until you've given birth w/o an epidural", etc. And this is even moreso since I've told them that I'm going into nursing. You all should have heard the silence after I told them I was going into nursing.

Now, I just hope that I'm accepted by the nurses after I graduate when they hear that I have a doula background. :chuckle

Katherine

SepiaRNC · Mar 19, 2004

I guess that I'm very different that other doulas. I'm totally understanding of the nurse's job. My mom was a nurse for many years and before I got into the doula aspect, I had a degree in speech language pathology (well, still do).
We are there for NON-medical comfort, something that the nurses can't do because a) they don't have time or b) SOME won't. I understand that job and since we are working as a team to help the mom, I won't interfere with the nurses. I've already come away from some doula meetings disgusted by some comment, a doula who was "bragging" that she didn't pass on a request for pain meds... I was angry. This was the mom's birth, NOT the doula's birth.
That's another way I differ from most doulas: I don't offer my opinions regarding pain meds. I support any way the mother choses to go.. pain meds, no pain meds, or wait 'n see. I don't go into every birth with the preconceived notion that she won't have meds, or with my own agenda in mind (i.e. - she's stated that she wants meds, but when she's in labor I'll do everything in my power to be sure she doesn't get them or I've failed as a doula - there are some who do this). Since I've been in the medical field and seen a lot of hospital births, I do know that when things in birth go wrong, they REALLY go wrong, and FAST... there's no time to argue a point on a birth plan when a life is potentially at risk.
That's another way I differ: birth plans. I remind my clients that they can chart out their wishes in the birth plan, but keep in mind that they might not go according to plan. Be flexible. And the saying that "the longer and more complex the birth plan, the greater the chance of the birth ending in a c/s" - I've found that to be more true than not.
I know that I'm not the perfect doula, but I just wanted to clear up a few misconceptions about doulas. There are several that play wannabe midwife/RN, do more harm than good and then the rest of us who aren't really that way, who understand the medical profession have a lot of "clean up" to do. We are there to help the patient, and in some ways, to help the nursing staff by answering/helping the patient - therefore diminishing the amount of call lights to the desk. In our hospital where I work as a volunteer, we are taught how to undo the monitors so the pt can go to the bathroom, walk around, etc. and then hook them up to the monitor again. We have been trained by the RN to do this, not doing this ourselves.
We would really like to be seen as a help to the nurses, not a hindrance, not competing for the job, etc. I know my place, however, there apparently are some who do not.
I know this is long, but I wanted to type out some of my feelings. FWIW, I'm not totally accepted in our doula group because I have an extensive medical background, and I don't buy into the "you really haven't given birth until you've given birth w/o an epidural", etc. And this is even moreso since I've told them that I'm going into nursing. You all should have heard the silence after I told them I was going into nursing.
Now, I just hope that I'm accepted by the nurses after I graduate when they hear that I have a doula background. :chuckle
Katherine

I think you will do just fine and you will make a great RN. I have worked with doulas, I've served as a doula on several occasions, free of charge for several church members. Some are overbearing and I feel they get in the way. Some are doing what the husbands should be doing. My biggest frustration is when they answer for the patient. I want to yell "I wasn't talking to you!" I would by fine with them as long as they don't tell me how to do my job. I believe they are needed. I encourage all laboring women to have someone who can fill that roll. The problem is, in my area, only the affluent have them. That's why I didn't charge for my services.

SepiaRNC · Mar 19, 2004

I guess that I'm very different that other doulas. I'm totally understanding of the nurse's job. My mom was a nurse for many years and before I got into the doula aspect, I had a degree in speech language pathology (well, still do).
We are there for NON-medical comfort, something that the nurses can't do because a) they don't have time or b) SOME won't. I understand that job and since we are working as a team to help the mom, I won't interfere with the nurses. I've already come away from some doula meetings disgusted by some comment, a doula who was "bragging" that she didn't pass on a request for pain meds... I was angry. This was the mom's birth, NOT the doula's birth.
That's another way I differ from most doulas: I don't offer my opinions regarding pain meds. I support any way the mother choses to go.. pain meds, no pain meds, or wait 'n see. I don't go into every birth with the preconceived notion that she won't have meds, or with my own agenda in mind (i.e. - she's stated that she wants meds, but when she's in labor I'll do everything in my power to be sure she doesn't get them or I've failed as a doula - there are some who do this). Since I've been in the medical field and seen a lot of hospital births, I do know that when things in birth go wrong, they REALLY go wrong, and FAST... there's no time to argue a point on a birth plan when a life is potentially at risk.
That's another way I differ: birth plans. I remind my clients that they can chart out their wishes in the birth plan, but keep in mind that they might not go according to plan. Be flexible. And the saying that "the longer and more complex the birth plan, the greater the chance of the birth ending in a c/s" - I've found that to be more true than not.
I know that I'm not the perfect doula, but I just wanted to clear up a few misconceptions about doulas. There are several that play wannabe midwife/RN, do more harm than good and then the rest of us who aren't really that way, who understand the medical profession have a lot of "clean up" to do. We are there to help the patient, and in some ways, to help the nursing staff by answering/helping the patient - therefore diminishing the amount of call lights to the desk. In our hospital where I work as a volunteer, we are taught how to undo the monitors so the pt can go to the bathroom, walk around, etc. and then hook them up to the monitor again. We have been trained by the RN to do this, not doing this ourselves.
We would really like to be seen as a help to the nurses, not a hindrance, not competing for the job, etc. I know my place, however, there apparently are some who do not.
I know this is long, but I wanted to type out some of my feelings. FWIW, I'm not totally accepted in our doula group because I have an extensive medical background, and I don't buy into the "you really haven't given birth until you've given birth w/o an epidural", etc. And this is even moreso since I've told them that I'm going into nursing. You all should have heard the silence after I told them I was going into nursing.
Now, I just hope that I'm accepted by the nurses after I graduate when they hear that I have a doula background. :chuckle
Katherine

I think you will do just fine and you will make a great RN. I have worked with doulas, I've served as a doula on several occasions, free of charge for several church members. Some are overbearing and I feel they get in the way. Some are doing what the husbands should be doing. My biggest frustration is when they answer for the patient. I want to yell "I wasn't talking to you!" I would by fine with them as long as they don't tell me how to do my job. I believe they are needed. I encourage all laboring women to have someone who can fill that roll. The problem is, in my area, only the affluent have them. That's why I didn't charge for my services.

JaneyW · Mar 19, 2004

Sepia-

I love your Snoopy. I have it on my car. I also feel that the doula is often doing what the husband should be and either won't or can't. A lot of my patients are hispanic/Mexican and are most often tended to by their mothers and aunts and sisters. Quite often too many cooks in the kitchen, but I am usually thankful for their help and distraction. I had a dad the other night that stayed behind the curtain during the birth while the grandma was at the mother's side. It was their fourth child, but he just wasn't comfortable with the legs spread bleeding part. Glad to have the grandma there. Would have been a good doula moment.

JaneyW · Mar 19, 2004

Sepia-

I love your Snoopy. I have it on my car. I also feel that the doula is often doing what the husband should be and either won't or can't. A lot of my patients are hispanic/Mexican and are most often tended to by their mothers and aunts and sisters. Quite often too many cooks in the kitchen, but I am usually thankful for their help and distraction. I had a dad the other night that stayed behind the curtain during the birth while the grandma was at the mother's side. It was their fourth child, but he just wasn't comfortable with the legs spread bleeding part. Glad to have the grandma there. Would have been a good doula moment.

BabyRN2Be · Mar 20, 2004

I think you will do just fine and you will make a great RN. I have worked with doulas, I've served as a doula on several occasions, free of charge for several church members. Some are overbearing and I feel they get in the way. Some are doing what the husbands should be doing. My biggest frustration is when they answer for the patient. I want to yell "I wasn't talking to you!" I would by fine with them as long as they don't tell me how to do my job. I believe they are needed. I encourage all laboring women to have someone who can fill that roll. The problem is, in my area, only the affluent have them. That's why I didn't charge for my services.

Thank you, Sepia! :)

On answering for the patient, I tell them that I'll advocate for them to a certain extent. However, all requests, especially for pain peds must come from them. I fully support their decisions, but since I've heard of doulas not passing requests for meds to the nurses, I never want to be accused of that.

I tell them that when they're ready for meds, I'll ring the nurse, but the request must come from their own mouths. I feel that's the best policy to protect them and myself.

Thank you all for the replies, I do appreciate it.

Katherine

fergus51 · Mar 20, 2004

You're the kind of doula I love. I have been lucky enough to generally only work where I would have one woman in labour, so I have the time to support them like a doula, but having a doula they already know and are comfortable with is just great for them. I do agree there are some doulas out there that I do NOT like working with (the ones who are still ragging about having a vag birth when the baby's heart rate is in the 80s.....), but the good ones are worth their weight in gold. If I ever have a baby, I am asking for a doula gift certificate for my baby shower!

Energizer Bunny · Mar 20, 2004

I guess that I'm very different that other doulas. I'm totally understanding of the nurse's job. My mom was a nurse for many years and before I got into the doula aspect, I had a degree in speech language pathology (well, still do).
We are there for NON-medical comfort, something that the nurses can't do because a) they don't have time or b) SOME won't. I understand that job and since we are working as a team to help the mom, I won't interfere with the nurses. I've already come away from some doula meetings disgusted by some comment, a doula who was "bragging" that she didn't pass on a request for pain meds... I was angry. This was the mom's birth, NOT the doula's birth.
That's another way I differ from most doulas: I don't offer my opinions regarding pain meds. I support any way the mother choses to go.. pain meds, no pain meds, or wait 'n see. I don't go into every birth with the preconceived notion that she won't have meds, or with my own agenda in mind (i.e. - she's stated that she wants meds, but when she's in labor I'll do everything in my power to be sure she doesn't get them or I've failed as a doula - there are some who do this). Since I've been in the medical field and seen a lot of hospital births, I do know that when things in birth go wrong, they REALLY go wrong, and FAST... there's no time to argue a point on a birth plan when a life is potentially at risk.
That's another way I differ: birth plans. I remind my clients that they can chart out their wishes in the birth plan, but keep in mind that they might not go according to plan. Be flexible. And the saying that "the longer and more complex the birth plan, the greater the chance of the birth ending in a c/s" - I've found that to be more true than not.
I know that I'm not the perfect doula, but I just wanted to clear up a few misconceptions about doulas. There are several that play wannabe midwife/RN, do more harm than good and then the rest of us who aren't really that way, who understand the medical profession have a lot of "clean up" to do. We are there to help the patient, and in some ways, to help the nursing staff by answering/helping the patient - therefore diminishing the amount of call lights to the desk. In our hospital where I work as a volunteer, we are taught how to undo the monitors so the pt can go to the bathroom, walk around, etc. and then hook them up to the monitor again. We have been trained by the RN to do this, not doing this ourselves.
We would really like to be seen as a help to the nurses, not a hindrance, not competing for the job, etc. I know my place, however, there apparently are some who do not.
I know this is long, but I wanted to type out some of my feelings. FWIW, I'm not totally accepted in our doula group because I have an extensive medical background, and I don't buy into the "you really haven't given birth until you've given birth w/o an epidural", etc. And this is even moreso since I've told them that I'm going into nursing. You all should have heard the silence after I told them I was going into nursing.
Now, I just hope that I'm accepted by the nurses after I graduate when they hear that I have a doula background. :chuckle
Katherine

I personally think that your attitude as a doula is fabulous, especially about the pain meds and birth plans. I have that attitude and hopefully will continue to do so when I finally become a CNM. My midwives with my last two children were just like that and I can only hope to be as great as they were.