Here is a great video by Penny Simkin about the importance of distinguishing between pain and suffering during birth.

She talks about how there are productive kinds of pain, like the pain we feel during exercise, mountain climbing, athletics, body modification (piercing, tattoos, etc). It is so important to realize that just because we feel pain doesn’t mean we are suffering. It is important to employ various comfort measures during your labor so that you are able to deal with the pain and avoid suffering.

I just saw this great trailer for a movie releasing in June that follows three birth doulas around. I love the teary-eyed doula speaking about what a privilege it is to be allowed to attend births. It really is, and I am so thankful to all the parents who allow me to be present at the birth of their children. Honored, privileged, in awe.

This is a great video that shows how well a doula can help a woman and her partner giving birth in a hospital.

I am so enjoying my online doula course through the Aviva Institute. Since I come from a very academic background, I knew I wanted to approach my doula training both through a more traditional course, and through a hands-on, in-person course (which I will participate in, through a DONA trainer, the first week of May). I am learning so much from the Aviva course, and I really enjoy my professor and my classmates.

Last week we had an assignment to help clarify our values as a doula. I thought I wold post my responses to the assignment.

What makes a good birth in your mind?

I believe that a birth is good, or successful, if the parents are satisfied with the birthing experience. I was also going to add, “and if the baby is healthy,” but not all babies are born healthy, and, while this would certainly affect how a woman views her birth, I believe that one can still experience a positive birth even if the child needs additional medical care after delivery.

What are your biases surrounding birth?

I am definitely drawn to natural birthing options, and a positive view of pregnancy and birth overall. I believe it is a natural process that we should learn to trust. As women, our bodies are designed to birth babies, and if we eliminate our fear, we can experience something empowering and transformational. I know I will choose a natural homebirth for myself, and I have many opinions about the danger or overuse of medial interventions, especially caesarean sections, but I have an equally strong belief in every woman choosing what happens to and with her body. So while I have my own personal opinions and ideas for what my birth will hopefully look like, I respect every woman’s right to choose. I don’t think that I really have biases in terms of judging potential clients and friends for the choices they make. What is most important is that a woman is satisfied with her birth; that she gets the opportunity to give birth in the manner she chooses.

How do you think your expectations and biases surrounding birth might effect or limit your potential doula clients?

Because of my strong belief in a woman’s right to choose her own birthing experience, I do not want to limit my clientele to only natural births or only homebirths, even though these are what I would choose for myself. I hope that I am able to build a reputation as a doula who will support you no matter what decisions you make for your birth. I am pretty sure my friends who are currently pregnant don’t even know my own ideas about birth, not because I don’t talk about it all the time, but because I am very careful not to express judgment on another person’s decisions. There is so much information coming at pregnant women from all around about what is best for her and her baby, that I think it is important for her to feel supported whether she chooses a medicated birth or a natural one. She doesn’t need a doula to make her feel bad about her decisions, so I hope to create a supportive environment for all women who choose to work with me. If this means that I work with more women in hospitals than homebirths, that is fine. I hope to help as many women as I can, and since most women still give birth in a hospital, I know this will likely be the case.

I get a little annoyed sometimes when I hear c-sections demonized. For one thing, I was born via a very necessary cesarean, and I don’t believe that my mother, who was two weeks overdue and labored for a long time, is any less of a mother or should be ashamed of her two healthy children born through cesarean. But more than that, I believe that it is essential for every woman to have the opportunity to have her ideal birth. Even if that means a cesarean. Also, I believe that a woman who didn’t plan a cesarean shouldn’t be made to feel as though she failed if she ends up with one, nor should it be assumed that she was traumatized by the experience.

That’s why I love this story of one woman’s lovely c-section.

All births can be beautiful!

Thanks to Jenna, a mama in Dallas, Texas, for the link love on her blog That Wife. I read her blog often, for her fabulous photography (she’s an excellent one), and to hear about her pregnancy. I love reading about pregnancy, birth and mothering in a woman’s own words, and when I read in her fabulous birth plan that she shared a few weeks ago that she wanted to avoid vaginal exams during labor (something I’d just been studying!), I emailed this link to her, from the blog of a doula in Israel. It covers all the information I read in my doula studies. Here is what Jenna posted:

Assessing Dilation without a Cervical Exam

Valerie, a doula in SLC sent me this link to a post that talks about clues to pay attention to during labor to get an idea of how dilated you are. If you are pregnant you may already know that having cervical exams after your water breaks can be harmful, as it can potentially introduce infection. Also, I’ve heard they are nasty to experience pretty much anytime, but especially during a contraction. I’ve read the article several times now and plan on going over it with TH as well so we both can have an idea how far along I am without relying on internal exams!

Why avoid vaginal exams during labor? Well, as Jenna points out, for one, they are uncomfortable. And two, they can be dangerous, because they push bacteria into the vagina and can cause infection, especially after your water breaks. Jenna is a great example of a woman who has taken control of her pregnancy, doing all the research to understand her options and choosing the kind of birth that’s right for her and her husband. It has been so fascinating following along as she decided to have a natural home birth with a midwife. Jenna is expecting to go into labor any day now, so I am sending lots of gentle labor thoughts her way!

My doula training officially began on Monday, with a course through the Aviva Institute. So far it has been incredible. I love hearing the birth stories of my classmates, watching videos about birth and doulas and discussing our extensive reading as well as mentions of doulas in popular culture.

I watched this video today that I think gives an excellent explanation of what a doula can do for you:

Since I made the decision to become a doula, I’ve been overwhelmed by the positive energy my friends and family have given me. Everyone says such kind things about what a good job I’ll do. The boost of confidence is so nice, hearing that those who know me best see what a logical step this is for me to take.