Doulas Don't Ask if You Want Pancakes in Transition: Why Doulas Need Doulas

Did you know, those fabulous statistics we read about regarding "continuous one-to-one emotional support provided by...a doula," don't diminish if the person in labor also happens to be a doula? That's right! Even doulas hire other doulas, because we know EVERYONE deserves a doula -- even a doula. Are you tired of the word doula yet? Because it happens to be World Doula Week, and I am pretty positive the "d" word will be prolifically used herein -- fair warning! Now, settle back and read why doulas choose to have that unique support and help only doulas bring to birth.

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​Some reasons are very short, and they make a lot of sense:

​"I hired a doula to help Carlos, so he could help me."

Blanca Paredes is a doula in the Bakersfield, CA area. She is bilingual (Spanish), a breastfeeding peer counselor, and an active member and board member of Bakersfield Birth Network.

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​Other reasons are longer, and they still make a lot of sense:

"Preparing for my fifth baby I considered a doula. However, my husband has been such a great support and I found myself using all the common reasons not to have a doula. I worried it may interfere with the dynamic between me and my awesome, supportive husband. I worried about expense. I also have precipitous labors and didn't know if I'd be able to make it to the hospital, much less if my doula would make it. I spent much of my pregnancy helping my own doula clients plan their births. Yet I struggled to focus on my own. Finally I realized that I needed some help to focus and plan on my birth. Talking with my doula was invaluable. She helped calm my fears and work through trauma from a previous birth. I still didn't know if she would be able to make it in time but having her help me prepare and knowing she would be there to help me process afterwards was a big comfort. I also knew that I could use all the hands I could get for counter pressure. When my birth came, it was longer than expected. It was wonderful to have someone that knew what I meant when I asked for different counter pressures or rebozo techniques. She read my mind so I didn't have to verbalize each step. I was able to hold onto my husband while she gave counter pressure -- to hug him while still having the comfort measures. In transition I was grateful for multiple hands providing relief. I have birthed four times without a doula. I have supported countless families as a doula myself. However, having a doula for my fifth baby, I will never personally go back to not having one again. There is always a use for one. You never know what may happen or how useful a doula may be."

-Becky Hartman is a doula, photographer, and energy worker in Davis County, Utah. She just birthed her 5th baby this past week, so this is all fresh in her mind! To learn more,  visit her website and go "like" her Facebook page. 

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​Sometimes the decision seems made for you:

"I didn't actively choose to have a doula for my births -- it just happened that the universe provided them. They were just the right amount of hands-off until absolutely necessary, and then hands-off again -- which is exactly how I work. I felt so relieved I could let myself fall into the network provided for me by my community. I'm eternally grateful to these women who gifted me their work, both emotional and physical! My midwives through the years have been amazing support, as well. There's nothing I would change about my births, thanks to their skilled care."

Bryna Sampey is the creator behind the Portland-based Doula My Soul. Always about community, she and the others at Doula My Soul offer birth and postpartum doula support, breastfeeding help, classes, and more. 

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​This doula took the time to write between contractions!

​"Why I hired a doula even though I'm a doula? Well to start, everyone deserves one person in their corner that makes them feel safe and educated. I also can't rub my own back or do my own hip squeezes. I hired a doula because I feel like doulas are almost essential to every birth team; they don't have the emotional ties the family has. AND I am currently in labor and have been relying on my doula all day!"

Chelsea Arredondo is a doula serving Kern and Tulare Counties, CA. She is currently, very anxiously, awaiting the arrival of her 4th baby (no baby as of this writing!). 

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For me, it was about breakfast food:

"There are exactly two pictures of me in labor, and this is one. We had the tub set up in a corner of the dining room -- you can see the morning sun coming in. What you can't see (or smell) is my husband making pancakes for our full house (our family of 5, plus my mom, plus my sister/doula, plus her 2 boys, plus my midwife, plus our dog). DOULAS DON'T CALL FROM THE KITCHEN AND ASK IF YOU WANT PANCAKES WHEN YOU ARE IN TRANSITION. That right there might be the best reason ever to have a doula, even when you are a doula. Even if the pancakes are made from scratch. Doulas know sometimes you need to focus on something other than food, and that is called, having a baby. And my doula was perfect for the job."