Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Are We There Yet?

Birth

When I was pregnant the second time, we considered having a doula with us at the hospital. At that time, I knew many couples who sought the expertise of a doula – a person who is trained to help during labor and after the birth of a baby.

In the end, however, we decided against it – not because we didn’t think a doula would be helpful, but my husband and I felt that the two of us along with our midwife would be fine.

Penny Simkin, the mother of the doula movement, was recently featured in The Seattle Times for her work with expectant parents. According to the story, having a doula at birth helps decrease labor time by as much as 25 percent. It also reduces the Cesarean-section rates by one-third.

"Birth never changes," Simkin says. "But the way we manage it and the way we think of it has. Right now, we're in a culture of fear around birth."

In the story, Simkin also adds: “I'm so sad that women think birth is impossible. They're also very busy and don't have time for classes. There are very few sources where they can get confidence in themselves . . . Women are so fit and athletic and run marathons, and yet think they can't do birth. I want people to appreciate how well their bodies are designed to give birth. Every cell in your body knows how."

How did you prepare for the birth of your child(ren)? What was the experience like for you and your partner? Did you have a doula with you?



This blog is intended to provide a forum for parents to share knowledge and resources. It's a place for parents young and old to combine their experiences raising families into a collective whole to help others.