All you need to know about Birth Doulas
The thought of giving birth can be overwhelming, and even a little frightening! Every expecting mother anxiously anticipates the moment she will go into labor, often worrying if things will go “according to plan”.
Birth is rarely the experience a mother expects it to be, but thankfully she never has to face it alone! Birth Doulas are the perfect companions to share in your birth journey with you, in a way that is supportive and empowering!
Are you interested in learning more about Los Angeles Doulas and how they can support you during birth? If you answered YES, you are in the right place! In this article, we will discuss the purpose of a birth doula, their role in the prevention of birth trauma, what to look for in a birth doula, and our recommendations for birth doulas in Los Angeles. Let’s get into it!
What is a Birth Doula?
A birth doula is an emotional and physical support person who is present for prenatal care, labor, and delivery. While the birthing person typically has loved ones present (a partner, close family, or friends), the birth doula is trained to help coach a mother through labor. Birth doulas do not replace medical professionals, but they do serve other purposes, including:
– Advocacy in the delivery room
– Emotional support for mother and family
– Encouragement and support during labor
– Offering information about pregnancy and childbirth
– Referrals to community resources
What is Birth Trauma?
Birth trauma is the psychological impact a mother experiences after an intense or negative birthing experience. While the definition of a “traumatic birth” is when physical harm is caused to the baby or mother, birth trauma does not need to be diagnosed to be tangible and real.
Birth trauma can impact a mother for days, weeks, months, or even years after birth. Birth doulas can play a role in the prevention of birth trauma and the healing of past birth traumas. A trauma-informed birth doula will be able to:
– Validate women in the traumatic birth experience, which will result in their referral to a local counseling service near them. While the doula’s support is invaluable, they mustn’t take on the role of professional counselor unless they are clinically trained in such regard.
– Offer evidence-based, educational information that will prepare the mother for birth, allowing the mother to have realistic expectations of the birthing process.
– Identify risks that increase the chances of a woman experiencing birth trauma
– Be an active listener
– Act as an advocate in the delivery room, ensuring the mother’s desires are heard and respected.
Childbirth is one of the most significant events in a woman’s life, and it cannot be taken lightly. If you have fears about childbirth, connecting with a birth doula provides you with not only emotional support but with a reachable resource for all the information you may need.
What to Look for in a Birth Doula
Birth doulas are as different from one another as mothers are! Here are a few things to keep in mind when finding your perfect birth doula match:
1- Authentic Connection with your Doula – Birth is one of the most vulnerable experiences a woman can have, which is why the birthing person must be comfortable with everyone in the room. You should never feel judged by your birth doula… they should encourage you to feel supported and empowered.
2- Birth Doula Certification – Depending on where you live, mandatory certifications and credentials to be a doula will vary. In the state of California, there is no required certification to become a doula. However, you may wish for your doula to hold other certifications, such as:
– DONA International Doula Training
– Lactation support
– Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing/Midwifery
– Car seat safety
– Safe bed sharing/ co-sleeping
3- Experience – Whether it is significant to you that your birth doula has years of experience, asking your birth doula about their past experiences is a great way to learn about your potential doula’s morals, values, and approach.
4- Cost – Doula service costs vary within the doula community. It is important to note that the cost of insurance rarely covers doula services. If you are worried about the cost, contact your doula directly to see if there are any discounts or grants available for application.
Los Angeles Doulas
If you are in the L.A. area and are looking for a birth doula, you are in the right place! Here are a few of our recommendations:
Gentle Birth Doula
Run by registered nurse Brana Ninkov, Gentle Birth Doula specializes in trauma-informed birth support. Ninkov is certified, educated, and trained in several areas, including:
– Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy Training- The Embody Lab 2021
– Early Concerns in Infant Feeding and Milk Transfer- Dr. Jack Newman 2020
– Lumos Transforms: Embodied Trauma and Resilience Toolkit- 2019
– The Art Of Sacred Postpartum and Mother Roasting- in training
– Certified Lactation Educator Counselor- UCSD 2018
– Spinning Babies Workshop- Nicole Morales 2017
Blissful Baby Doula Services
The team of doulas at Blissful Baby Doula Services is passionate about providing physical and/or emotional support in a non-judgmental manner that allows patients and their families to feel comfortable during this vulnerable and transformative stage of life.
Los Angeles Birth Partners
Los Angeles Birth Partners (LABP) prioritize education and expert support, to empower their clients to make informed decisions that will positively impact their client families for years to come. Aside from doula services, LABP also offers several prenatal and birthing classes.
While labor and delivery are undeniably challenging, having the right support in the delivery room can make a world of a difference! By inviting a birth doula who is not afraid to advocate, educate, and support you through your toughest moment, you can feel safe and secure that you will welcome your little one into the world under the most ideal conditions.
That support can continue after you give birth with a postpartum Doula. I take a deep-dive into the nature of postpartum doulas in the article linked below. Check it out!
Los Angeles Postpartum Doulas: Why You Should Have One
While you are here, if you’d like information about maternity or newborn session, let’s chat! It would be an honor to capture such beautiful milestones of your family!
Thank you so much for checking out this post all about Los Angeles Doulas!!
