Why Your Midwife Wants You to Hire a Doula Too
Hey, Your Midwife Wants You to Hire a Doula Too!
At Wichita Doula we pretty much exclusively attend hospital births so far, but it looks like we may be adding some home births to our schedule as well! Recently we had the opportunity to do a video with Meridian Faul, Certified Professional Midwife, on why the midwife and doula team just works so well, and why all home birthing families should utilize the support of both!
Watch us here:
Summary/recap of our conversation:
A Midwife and a Doula Are NOT the Same Thing!
A midwife is a medical care provider who handles clinical tasks such as monitoring, blood pressure checks, cervical exams, nutritional counseling, and labor and delivery care. A doula is a support person who provides education, coaching, and resources.
The midwifery model of care is very family-centered and holistic. Midwives typically spend a lot of time with their patients prenatally. Each prenatal checkup could last anywhere from thirty minutes to over an hour and includes conversation, counseling, working through fears, and providing education. Because this model of care is so supportive, many parents think that they do not also need the support of a doula as well.
Meridian says: as a midwife this couldn't be further from the truth! While I do provide my patients a lot of good support and education, my job is to care for the safety and health of you and your baby. I am very focused on doing my job and my hands and eyes need to be freed up for that. A great doula can provide the constant support, coaching, positioning, breathing, information, and reassurance that you both need during labor while I am monitoring you and helping you deliver.
Not to mention, if something tense should go down, she has to be completely focused on safety and critical decision making, and cannot stop to take the time to explain procedures and terminology and use positioning or massage techniques for pain.
A Doula Can Labor with You Much Longer!
A midwife typically arrives to be with you during late active labor when you are nearing delivery. However, you may or may not have a long labor and you may request your doula to be with you the entire time if desired. If you need support during the latent phase of labor, and early active labor, you won't want to feel alone or like you're not sure how to cope with the contractions and stay relaxed and focused.
Meridian says: I usually arrive when you are getting closer to giving birth, so I recommend that you have a doula with you throughout the earlier parts of your labor. This will help you both feel secure, confident, connected, and calm during the entirety of your labor.
We're Making it Easy to Have the Perfect Home Birth Team!
Faul Midwifery, LLC, and Wichita Doula, LLC have teamed up to make it easy to have your midwife and doula dream team at your home delivery. All of Meridian's patients now have the option to include one of our professional doulas at their birth and will include a prenatal birth planning visit, and labor support as long as desired.
Have you considered using a midwife for your low-risk pregnancy? Faul Midwifery would love to have a consultation with you and answer all of your questions to help you determine if this option is right for you and your family.