Ask a doula anything - your questions answered!
Q: How do you build a relationship with your clients during pregnancy?
A: As Doulas, we strive to build strong connections with all of our families we serve. We spend intentional time together during our consults, prenatals, and postpartum visits by talking about their wants, needs, fears, and sometimes even their trauma. Between visits with our families, we also stay in close contact - checking in and providing support and education so they are reminded that they are not doing this alone and we are always here for them! We provide a listening ear without judgement, and validate their feelings. Along with emotional support, we also provide lots of education and resources so they feel confident and prepared for what's to come their way. One of a Doula's favorite things is involving your birth partner in your care so just remember, a Doula isn’t just for moms - they’re for partners too. ;)
Q: How do you help your clients who are feeling discouraged, fearful, or exhausted during labor? How do you support emotional coping during intense labor (e.g., transition phase)?
A: Doulas can help support clients who are feeling discouraged, fearful or exhausted by grounding them and constantly reminding them that they are capable, safe, strong & that they can do this. We know that birth is hard so we will normalize their feelings and help them refocus their thoughts on getting through one contraction at a time. We will remind them of their why, their plan, and during transition - their baby will be here so soon! Transition can feel extremely overwhelming and moms might often find themselves saying things like “I can’t do this” or “I just want a c-section.” This is when words of affirmation, breathing exercises, holding their hand, and helping them feel in control will come into play when having a Doula.
Q: Have you ever had a mom have a labor she was unhappy with or go different from anticipated/how did you help her in postpartum
A: Of course! Although we wish this didn’t happen, we will be transparent with you and tell you that it does happen and it’s okay! We will be sure to validate feelings, hold space, debrief, focus a lot on emotional recovery and make it known that she did not “fail.” Just because your birth did not go as planned does not mean that you’re not allowed to be proud of yourself! We believe that healing starts with feeling heard, supported and knowing that she is not alone.
Doula Shay with mamas <3Q: What are your favorite book recommendations for postpartum support or labor & delivery?
A: Sweet Pea’s resource page: https://www.yoursweetpeadoula.com/resources
The Fourth Trimester by Kimberly Ann Johnson
Not your mother’s postpartum book by Caitlin Slavens
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth - Ina May Gaskin
Real Food for Pregnancy - by Lily Nichols
The Birth Partner: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Doulas and All Other Labor Companions - By Penny Simkin
Q: How do you juggle doula work with working other jobs, having a family of your own, and also managing a personal life?
A: We get this question quite frequently and it honestly takes a lot of intention and boundaries. Doula work requires unpredictability, and constantly being on call ready to go at any time. Here are some responses from a couple different Sweet Pea Doulas:
Clear boundaries and expectations. I communicate upfront about my availability, response times, and personal life
My support system - this is HUGE. Having a strong and supportive support system is very important. Having reliable childcare if I need it is a big relief.
Support from not only my friends and family, but also from my coworkers - other Sweet Pea doulas! We are such a strong and supportive group of gals and that is so important to me. Knowing that somebody is just a call or text away that understands exactly what I might be going through is absolutely amazing and SO appreciated!
Prioritizing self care!!!! Making sure that I take the time to recover and rebuild after a long birth. This could be just a simple bath, a debrief with another doula, a massage, or even just uninterrupted sleep!
Q: How can a Doula support me if I am going to get an epidural?
A: We support medicated births all the time! A doula's job is to support your choices and help you feel informed and cared for from the time you book with us, until your last postpartum visit! Doulas can help you cope before the epidural with breathing, position changes, massage, counterpressure, and reassurance, especially if there’s a long wait for anesthesia or you’re still deciding when to get it. We also walk you through what to expect during the process so it feels less intimidating. After the epidural, we will help assist with frequent position changes to encourage labor progress and baby’s positioning. We will stay by your side through pushing and birth so you will feel supported every step of the way!
