by Cynthya Dzialo, certified Hypnobabies hypno-doula and CBI birth doula, childbirth educator, and owner of The Happiest Doulas 

"HELP! My partner doesn't think we need to hire a doula."

Yikes! I've heard this before from clients and students of my classes. Sometimes, one partner REALLY wants to hire a birth doula and the other can't justify the expense or face the realities of the upcoming birthday. Evidence shows continuous support can significantly decrease the risk of cesareans, NICU admissions, Pitocin, and medications for pain relief, as well as increase satisfaction with the birth experience altogether.

Here are my suggested talking points for reserving the services of a doula and private childbirth classes:

1. Ask your partner how they plan to support your labor. Do they want to rub your back or squeeze your hips for 18 hours all by themself? Prior to labor, do they want to memorize optimal labor positions to facilitate progress and avoid a stall that can lead to medical interventions?
   

2. Have they prepared to be your SOLE source of emotional and physical comfort? Will they be able to provide you with informational support and advocate for alternatives to proposed medical interventions? Here is an article I wrote for preparing labor partners for the big event. It's generic but what everyone should know in the LEAST.
   

3. Who do they plan to have present on birthday to help THEM? Most partners want us to be present for them too, especially upon realizing the nurses won't be in the room but for an average of 10 minutes per hour prior to the second stage.
   

4. Yes, preparing for childbirth with a comprehensive prenatal class is VERY helpful, but on birthday, recalling pertinent info on little sleep while watching your partner run a marathon is stressful. Doulas remove the burden from the birth partner's shoulders, relieves their stress and helps them enjoy the birthday/night/weekend. Birthday can be a wonderful bonding experience for you two!
   

5. Is their hesitation due to financial reasons? Think about the cost of a c-section and an extended hospital stay. Since doula support is a PROVEN way to reduce the risk of c-section, hiring an experienced doula WILL SAVE YOU MONEY. Many of our clients use their HSA/FSA debit cards to pay for childbirth services such as classes and doula support. Our agency includes our NPI number and taxonomy code on our order confirmations so you may attempt reimbursement from your insurance company or HSA/FSA accounts.
   

6. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists say doula support is NECESSARY in the prevention of the primary c-section! Here's an excerpt from my blog post with links to the research:

"Today, approximately 60% of all cesarean births are primary cesareans. Although cesarean birth can be life-saving for the baby and/or the mother, the rapid increase in cesarean birth rates raises significant concern that cesarean delivery is overused without clear evidence of improved maternal or newborn outcomes. Published data indicate that one of the most effective tools to improve labor and delivery outcomes is the continuous presence of support personnel, such as a doula. A Cochrane meta-analysis of 12 trials and more than 15,000 women demonstrated that the presence of continuous one-on-one support during labor and delivery was associated with improved patient satisfaction and a statistically significant reduction in the rate of cesarean delivery (111). Given that there are no associated measurable harms, this resource is probably underutilized."

The most important thing a woman needs during labor is continuous support.

Read (and share!) this article by Evidence Based Birth. Here's an excerpt: "Labor support also increases satisfaction and the chance of a spontaneous vaginal birth. Although continuous support can also be offered by birth partners, midwives, nurses, or even some physicians, research has shown that with some outcomes, doulas have a stronger effect than other types of support persons. As such, doulas should be viewed by both parents and providers as a valuable, evidence-based member of the birth care team."

Prepare for the biggest day of your life!

You will most definitely need to be prepared for your baby's birthday if you plan to go without the professional assistance of a labor doula. Attend a prenatal birthing class. Our intensive prep - the 3 Hour Labor Lesson - helps your partner gain skills to effectively help you on birthday.

Related posts: 5 Reasons to Hire a Birth Doula Labor Support Was Left Behind
Epidural, Please!