Nervous About Pregnancy And Birth? How A Doula Can Help

Posted on: 3 February 2019

If you are expecting your first child, you might feel a certain amount of nervousness about pregnancy and the delivery process. You can do plenty of preparation and research on your own, but having a doula can also help calm your nerves. What can a doula do to help a nervous mom? Keep reading to find out!

1. Doulas can help field the hospital papers and problems. 

Your job is to give birth to your baby. You can focus on this job without being interrupted or distracted. When you are at the hospital, nurses or other staff might interrupt you to sign papers or review information. Your doula can intercept these people at the door and bring you needed papers when you are ready for them. 

2. Doulas provide round-the-clock support.

Nurses or even your spouse or partner might not be able to provide you with the consistent, trained support you need during labor. If you're worried about how you will manage if you don't have a lot of family or support close by, a doula comes with you to the hospital and can give massage, counter-pressure, coaching during contractions, and get you drinks and other needs as you need them. 

3. A doula is trained to support moms in labor.

You might not know what to expect, but your doula will have attended many births and is there to advocate for you when you might not know what you need or what you want. Your doctor can still provide medical care, but your doula can talk you through your fears, encourage you when you feel down, and keep you talking or laughing when you need to be distracted. Your doula should be someone you enjoy being around and someone you can trust so that you feel safe during labor. 

4. Your doula is there to help with post-birth care.

Post birth is another grey area for first-time moms. You don't know how it will be. Many doulas are also trained as lactation consultants and can help you as you start to nurse your baby. Walking and standing can be painful for moms recovering from labor, so your doula can also help you as you need to shower, dress, and complete other personal hygiene tasks. Caring for baby is your priority, so your doula can take over caring for you.

You don't have to go into labor alone. Your doula will meet with you in the weeks before delivery to help you learn breathing techniques and other methods of managing during labor. You can plan and practice together so you feel peaceful about your new baby. Contact a doula program service for more information.

Share