By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Although it takes two to make a baby, having a team helping the process can make the birthing experience a little easier and even more memorable.
For one thing, “many hands make light work” is an idiom that rings true.
If you have more people on hand to take care of mom and baby, then it will be easier on the parents to bring their little one into the world.
And since they can focus on delivering their baby — not just on the associated tasks — they’ll likely focus on what will become precious memories of their baby’s birth.
If you’re close to your family, it’s likely that they’ll want to be involved. Assign tasks to anyone who wants to help, such as ferrying the mom-to-be to her prenatal appointments and taking notes (“pregnancy brain” is real!); preparing the baby’s room; shopping for baby’s needs and cleaning and stocking the house. Once it is a couple months until delivering, it’ll be tough to get all this preparation work done.
As for preparing for the big day, a birth team should include a medical professional such as an obstetrician or midwife; a main support person such as the baby’s dad, grandma, or aunt; and a birth doula.
“Gathering a supportive birthing team can help improve your labor experience,” said Michelle Rockwood, a registered nurse certified in inpatient obstetrics and the director of women’s services at Oswego Health.
“Doulas can benefit the laboring mother by providing continuous nonmedical labor support. They can help with breathing techniques, positioning, nonpharmacological pain management, reassurance and encouragement. Doulas can also help the mother maintain her birth plan by helping the parents understand the birthing process, advocating for their choices and birth plan and facilitating communication between the parents and the medical team.”
Because doulas go with families to the hospital to offer both physical and emotional support, as well as advocacy through labor and birth, doulas help families navigate what can otherwise be a frightening experience in a largely unfamiliar place.
The doula-family relationship begins before the due date.
Birth doulas don’t replace medical personnel, but rather augment them as providing support and advocacy for the laboring mom and family. Unexpected developments and outcomes during the process can make families feel like little is within their control. In a medical setting, many of procedures and much of the language used feels foreign to parents. That is why having an ally to help can make birth better.
A big part of the birth doula’s role is to use proven measures and techniques to help moms remain as comfortable as possible while laboring while keeping in mind the mother’s safety and the safety of the baby.
“The process of giving birth is a transformative experience, both physically and emotionally,” said Christine Herrera, owner of CNY Doula Connection, which serves Central New York. “Having a dedicated support team can make a significant difference in how this experience unfolds. A well-chosen birth support team provides emotional support and encouragement, physical comfort measures and pain management techniques, advocacy for the birthing person’s preferences and needs, informed decision-making support and a continuous presence throughout labor and delivery.”
A support team isn’t just about making moms more comfortable — although that’s important, too.
Herrera noted that research indicates that support during labor can improve birth outcomes such as shorter labor, reduced need for medical interventions and an overall better birthing experience.
“The presence of a supportive team during birth has been linked to numerous positive health outcomes, such as reduced rates of cesarean sections and instrumental vaginal births, decreased use of pain medication, increased likelihood of spontaneous vaginal birth, higher Apgar scores for newborns and improved emotional well-being for the birthing person postpartum,” Herrera added. “These benefits stem from the reduced stress and increased confidence that come with having knowledgeable, caring individuals by one’s side during this intense and vulnerable time. The combination of professional expertise and personal emotional connection creates an environment where the birthing person feels supported, informed and empowered throughout their journey.”
Because certified doulas take training in their field and have attended many births, they understand the medical language used and can help families navigate their baby’s birth. Many fathers tend to struggle with the entire experience as they typically aren’t privy to women’s birthing stories. Men usually like to serve as problem solvers and find themselves with little to do to help in this situation.
“Having a supportive birthing team can not only help the laboring mother but also help the father understand the process as well,” Rockwood said. “Many fathers or significant others feel helpless or are unsure of what to do during the moment. The birthing team can offer opportunities for the dad to support the laboring mother. Families should have a conversation about preferences during labor and delivery, so everyone knows the birth plan ahead of time. This conversation should happen before you go into labor.”
Depending on where the mom delivers, some facilities offer staff midwives. Check with the facility to see if there’s a maximum number of “support” people allowed. Typically, doulas are not part of that number, just like medical providers.
Post-birth doulas can also help when bringing home baby. Accept any help from friends and family members who volunteer to help, whether it’s to run the laundry, walk the dog, clean, hold the baby or drop off meals and supplies. It’s OK to sign them up for specific tasks.
You can also sign up for automatic grocery delivery or meal plans.