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Working with a Doula | Image Courtesy of Rebekah Vos via Unsplash
Working with a Doula | Image Courtesy of Rebekah Vos via Unsplash

Are You Thinking of Working with a Doula?

Here are some of the benefits

Being a pelvic floor physical therapist, I work with pregnant and postpartum women almost daily. Not having birthed any children yet and currently pregnant, I was curious about the doula process both professionally and personally. So, I attended a wonderful birth doula training program and learned a ton about what working with a doula is all about.

What is a birthing doula?

A doula serves as an activist for women who are birthing. They provide continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother and family prior to, during, and immediately after birth. The doula’s ultimate goal is to advocate for and elevate the mother’s voice. Hospital staff, labor & delivery nurses, family members, and obstetricians/gynecologists are not able to provide in this role because they have other obligations, like focusing on the mother's and baby’s medical health and wellness. The doula’s extra support is focused on the mother’s needs and allows for a safe space for birth to occur, increasing the likelihood of an overall, satisfying birth experience. 

Benefits of working with a doula:

Authors of a systematic review that included 15,000 women within 21 randomized controlled trials concluded that having a doula has clinically meaningful benefits for women and infants; furthermore, there are no known associated adverse effects or harm. The authors encouraged that all women should have support throughout labor and birth. 

In comparison with those who did not have continuous labor/birth support, those with doula support had the following benefits:

  • shorter labors 
  • less likely to have a pitocin supplementation 
  • less likely to have epidurals 
  • less likely to have forceps or other assisted devices during the second stage of labor
  • decreased rate of cesarean section births 
  • giving birth to a baby with a higher apgar score 5 minutes after

Most importantly, improves the woman's satisfaction about the birth itself!

Working with a doula:

Once you have interviewed for the right doula for you, there are usually 2-3 prenatal visits to connect with your birthing doula to discuss various things such as:

  • the intended place of birth
  • your vision for your birth
  • things that you know that can provide a sense of calmness (such as aromatherapy, lighting, sounds)
  • your priorities/desires for the need for interventions during your birth (pitocin, epidural, etc.)
  • education about labor itself including the pre-labor, labor progression, how to time contractions, when to transfer to the intended location of birth
  • breathing practices
  • help you develop a birth plan

During labor, a doula may: 

  • provide comfort measures: reminding you on breathing techniques, aromatherapy, emotional support, massages for relaxation & pain relief, recommending different positions to promote comfort, and more
  • advice on questions to ask of caregiver on certain topics
  • reminding client to ask caregiver questions on procedures different from her wishes
  • requesting help if birthing partner or baby appear to be under distress
  • help with woman’s partner to allow for improved birth satisfaction (makes sure partner’s basic needs are met to help set up success for helping the woman)

Doulas are a wonderful addition to your birth team to help improve the miraculous experience of birth, especially if you are someone that would like to have the least amount of intervention. If you have any further questions about working with a doula, DONA is a great resource to get more information. For more pregnancy related blog posts, click here.

**COVID-19 Note: Due to COVID-19, at this time, there are some hospitals that are only allowing doulas that are certified to be in the birthing rooms. Here’s a quick link to find certified doulas in your area.

 

References:

  1. Bohren MA, Hofmeyr GJ, Sakala C, Fukuzawa RK, Cuthbert A. Continuous support for women during childbirth [PDF]. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2017, Issue 7.  DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003766.pub6.   
  2. Hodnett ED. Pain and women’s satisfaction with the experience of childbirth: a systematic review. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002; 186(5) S160-172.
  3. Simkin, P. Position Paper: The Birth Doula’s Role in Maternity Care (PDF) DONA 2012. 

What Our Patients Have to Say

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Testimonial by Carolina J.

I had tried Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy before (with another PT) and I had a really bad (painful) experience. A friend of mine and fellow patient, told me about Heather, Laureen and Femina PT (née Fusion Wellness & Physical Therapy) and I decided to try again. I am so happy I did! Femina PT have, literally, changed my life. I was able to do again things I couldn't do for over 10 years!! Their bedside manners are impeccable, their knowledge and understanding make me feel comfortable to recommend this place to anyone in pain. Specially if you have Endometriosis. 100% recommended!!

-- Carolina J., 12/28/16 via Yelp!

Testimonial by Ann V.

I wish i could give this place 10 stars!! 
I have been suffering from vaginismus for 5 years and never found the cure to it. I had seen an ob/gyn and he diagnosed me with vaginismus and told me i needed a surgery to cure my condition, which i refused to do. He also referred me to a PT that he works with, i had given them multiple calls and they never responded back to me, so i started searching yelp for another PT. I am SO HAPPY I found Heather's office! I was working with Laureen, and with her guidance and techniques i was able to be cured from vaginismus in only 2 1/2 short months!!! I couldn't believe how quickly their program worked for me! I am forever grateful and thankful from Heather, and Laureen! They are the absolute best at what they do!

Read more: Testimonial by Ann V.

Testimonial by S.H., age 24

I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for me for the past 19 months. I literally could not have reached my goals without you and your practice. You gave me the courage to keep moving forth with my treatment no matter how afraid and anxious I was. You were always there to answer questions and made this whole process so much easier than I expected it to be.

It's because of you that my marriage is on the right track, that I can get pregnant and that this part of my life is finally over. I really feel that Fusion Wellness is a team of people you can call family and are there to root for you and cheer you on until you reach your goals. There is nothing better than knowing I accomplished this with you guys by my side and as calmly and patiently as I needed. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for always being there and helping me reach my goals.

S.H., age 24

Testimonial by J.B.

My husband and I were having problems with painful intercourse. My therapist recommended that I go and get a pelvic floor evaluation from a physical therapist. Having never been treated by a physical therapist, I wondered how this really was going to help me. My husband who is a physician was very supportive and agreed that a PT evaluation would be a great idea. So i made the appointment and was blown away by what I learned. I had no idea that pelvic floor muscles could get tight and have trigger points just like any other muscle in the body. I'm a massage therapist and very familiar with tight muscles, and this new thought really amazed me. Heather's program to help relax and strengthen these muscles made such a difference. I can say that I am 100% pain free during intercourse now. Yippee! Going to the PT appointments and doing the at-home exercises was definitely a discipline, but it's 100% worth it! The rewards are amazing.

-- J.B.

Testimonial by Lauren B.

Femina PT (née Fusion Wellness & Physical Therapy) has been such an answer to prayer, i'm so glad I found them! I've been struggling with vaginismus my whole life, but didn't have a name for it until about 6 or 7 months ago. Even once I did have a name for it though, I didn't know where to begin in getting help. My OB/GYN had me get a set of dilators, but I couldn't even insert the smallest one by myself. Most times I tried I just ended up frustrated and in tears. I felt really alone, like I was broken and didn't have the energy to keep trying. When I got engaged a few months ago though, I realized I needed to get answers so i wasn't dreading my honeymoon.

Read more: Testimonial by Lauren B.

Testimonial by R.S.

I wanted to thank you so much for helping me get through something I thought I may never be able to. We have achieved pain-free intercourse and this has really solidified our marriage. We are so grateful to you for all the work you do! Thank you!!

-- R.S.

Our
Locations

Beverly Hills:

9012 Burton Way
Beverly Hills, CA 90211

Telephone: (310) 871-9554

The Beverly Hills office is convenient to Mid-Wilshire, West Hollywood, Hollywood, Beverlywood, Korea Town, Downtown LA, Culver City, Century City, Santa Monica and Malibu.

Hours:

Monday 12:00-5:00
Tuesday 7:00-6:00
Wednesday CALL
Thursday 2:00-6:00
Friday 7:00-6:00

Pasadena:

350 S. Lake Avenue #220
Pasadena, Ca 91101

Telephone: (818) 873-1403

Our Pasadena location is convenient to Glendale, Montrose, Burbank, Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Atwater Village, and Eagle Rock.

Hours:

Monday 7:00-6:00
Tuesday 7:00-4:00
Wednesday CALL
Thursday 7:00-4:00
Friday CALL

Sherman Oaks:

13425 Ventura Blvd. Suite 200
Sherman Oaks, California 91423

Telephone: (818) 877-6910

The Sherman Oaks office is adjacent to Studio City and serves the Bel Air, Brentwood, West LA, Mulholland, Beverly Hills, Encino, Calabasas and San Fernando Valley area.

Hours:

Monday 7:30-6:00
Tuesday 7:00-6:00
Wednesday 7:00-6:00
Thursday 8:00-6:00
Friday 7:00-6:00