DOULAS VS PARTNERS

FAQ #2 - Does a doula replace my partner? We get this one a lot too!

Doula care is an evidence-based birth intervention, so we discuss it in our prenatal class.

Continuous support from a doula during labour is shown by high quality scientific research to increase rates of spontaneous vaginal births and decrease rates of cesarean sections, epidural use, vacuum/forceps assisted deliveries, and negative feelings about childbirth.

Oxytocin is the hormone that stimulates strong uterine contractions during labour. You could say it is one of the most important components of progressing labour. Oxytocin is secreted with social bonding experiences and with positive physical contact, such as cuddling, kissing, holding hands, sex, orgasm, breastfeeding, eye contact with your baby, petting a dog, etc.

Support partners can help progress labour by making the birthing person feel loved (stimulating oxytocin release), whether that’s through loving encouragement, loving touches, slow dancing, eye gazing, anything that really makes you feel the love! They are also usually the person in the room who knows the birthing person best.

Doulas are there to support partners too! If it’s a long labour especially, doulas can relieve partners who need to catch a quick nap or grab a snack to refuel before coming back to continue supporting their loved one. Doulas can help normalize the progress of labour. Especially when it’s your first time, you likely have never seen your partner make these particular sounds or work through a strenuous physical undertaking like this. A doula has lots of experience in variations of normal and can reassure you when you’re not sure whether or not a part of your experience is normal.

Ultimately, although both are there to support the labouring person, the role of a doula and the role of a partner are very different, and both have an important place in a person’s childbirth experience.

Did you have a doula? If so, how did they complement the support your partner offered you?

RESOURCES:

https://evidencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-for-doulas/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3647727/

PRENATAL CLASSES

FAQ #1 - Why should I take a prenatal class? We get this question a lot!

Did you know there’s research that looks at birth outcomes of people who take a prenatal class compared to those who don’t?

In 2016 in Australia, a study was done where parents were randomly assigned to either class A (a standard class which focused on stages of labour and when to go into the hospital) or class B (a comprehensive class that focused on 6 main non-pharmacological comfort measures). The study was mainly investigating the relationship between childbirth education and epidural use, but they found a number of other interesting findings. The study found that students who took the class that focused on non-pharmacological comfort measures had:

• lower rate of epidural use (24% vs 69%)

• lower rate of pitocin augmentation

• lower rate of cesarean section

• shorter second stage (pushing phase) of labour on average

• fewer cases of perineal trauma

• fewer cases of newborn requiring resuscitation

This is the first randomized control study of its kind, and more research is still needed, but these findings show significant potential for benefit from taking the right childbirth class.

In our birth empowerment class, we cover standard content such as stages of labour and when to consider heading into the hospital (if you’re planning a hospital birth), but we also cover benefits and risks of various interventions, 12 non-pharmacological comfort measures, as well as an introduction to postpartum, breastfeeding, and newborn care!

If you’re expecting your first baby and wanting to approach your birthing experience with positivity and power, this class is for you! If you have birthed before, but felt unheard or unsupported, and are wanting to reclaim your birthing power, this class is for you! If you want to give your pregnant partner strong and knowledgeable support throughout pregnancy, labour, and postpartum, this class is for you!

Did you take a prenatal class? Why or why not?

RESOURCES:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305222691_Complementary_therapies_for_labour_and_birth_study_a_randomised_controlled_trial_of_antenatal_integrative_medicine_for_pain_management_in_labour

https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/6/7/e010691