Can women who plan to have epidurals still benefit from doula support? I’ve been asked this question several times (I just finished replying to that very question posted today), so I thought I’d go ahead and answer here too. The short answer is YES!
I think I speak for most doulas when I say that I am happy to help any woman to achieve whatever birth experience she wants. Some women go into it knowing that they will probably want an epidural and I totally understand! Since it’s really not a good idea to get an epidural too early in labor, she still has a bit of work to do to get there and I can help with that. Even after she gets an epidural, she and her partner can still benefit from continuous support during labor and after the baby is born and I am more than happy to provide that.
Having said that, research (and personal experience) has shown that women with the support of a doula require less intervention in general – less Pitocin, less epidural anesthesia, less use of forceps or vacuum extraction, much lower c-section rates, etc. In fact, in clinical trials comparing women who had epidurals with women who instead had doula support, both groups rated their decrease in pain as the same (a doula had the same perceived pain-relieving effects as an epidural – without the risk or expense!). I think we women have been asked to give birth without the support we really need and that has led to the need for more and more medical intervention. Maybe all we really need is an extra set of hands to hold, a compassionate, experienced woman to sympathize and to lean on, someone whose sole purpose is to help us have an amazing birth experience that we’ll remember with joy.
That’s the main thing – I want women and their partners to have wonderful birth experiences that empower them to set out on the most demanding of journeys – parenthood! However they choose to get there – I’m here to help!
I wish I had been better educated on the role of a doula when I was pregnant with my first. Our birth experience may have been a better one meaning not ending in a c-section. I admire you for becoming a doula, Amy. I know you will continue to do great and if I were to ever have another child I would want you at my side.
Thanks so much, Stephanie. I feel the same way – Zack was born by c-section and I feel pretty confident that it could have turned out differently if Tony and I had better support. Was Brennan born by c-section too? I’ve done it both ways and if I have a choice, I vastly prefer not having major surgery right before bringing a newborn baby home.
Amy, you were amazing in your support when our daughter was born! I can’t even imagine what our experience would have been like with out you there by Sarah’s side throughout her extremely long labor. I truly believe that you were THE main reason Sarah was able to avoid an epidural for the first 20 hrs of her labor and helped her avoid a c-section. You will never know hiw much our family was blessed by your presence at Imogen’s birth. Thanks so much!
Imogen’s birthday was the day that I knew I wanted to be a doula when I grew up. So, thank you! I can’t wait until McIlvenna Baby #2 comes along!
Yes, Brennan was a c-section too. My doctor was going to allow me to have a VBAC if I went into labor on my own before my c-section date but I never did. I was actually surprised that I recovered from my 2nd c-section quicker than the 1st. The hospital was so full when we were there and they let me go home 2 days after which was SO nice. I think being at home helped me, I was able to get rest!