How is Bradley
Childbirth Education different from other childbirth methods?
Dr. Robert Bradley developed the Bradley Method of Natural
Childbirth in 1947. It is a series of twelve weekly classes, with
limited enrollment to ensure personal attention, educating through
instruction, discussion, labor practice, communication exercises,
and birth films. One of the major differences between the Bradley
Method and other childbirth techniques is the focus of
concentration. Bradley trained laboring moms concentrate on and work
with their bodies. Other childbirth techniques often teach
distraction methods to their couples.
The Bradley Method:
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Emphasizes birth as a natural process and encourages mothers to
trust their bodies.
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Believes that women benefit from active labor support in many
ways, including a reduction in the need for pain medications and
other interventions.
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Teaches partners a variety of effective labor support techniques
and comfort measures to enable them to effectively assist their
partners during labor and birth.
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Focuses on natural abdominal breathing to enhance relaxation and
reduce pain.
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Promotes communication skills in preparation for a positive birth
experience.
What is a doula?
Doula comes from the
Ancient Greek and means “woman servant”. A birth doula provides
emotional, physical, and informational support for both the laboring
mom and her partner. The doula is knowledgeable about the entire
birth process, possesses skills to help a laboring mom cope with the
pain and emotions of labor and understands the importance of this
event in the life of the couple. The doula will advocate for mom and
baby by helping mom formulate questions, gather information, and
discuss the options available with the medical staff. The doula will
never advise a woman, however, she will clarify the information
received so the laboring mom may give her informed consent regarding
any medical procedures. Most importantly, the doula uses her skills
to complement those of the woman’s partner and medical providers,
helping to ensure a satisfying birth memory.
What are the benefits of a doula?
Studies*
have shown the use of a Doula during labor can:
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Reduce the chances of a cesarean section by 50%.
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Shorten the length of your labor.
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Reduce the need for pain medications.
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Lessen the chances of complications that require an extended
hospital stay for you or your baby.
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Help you have a more satisfying birth experience.
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Encourage and promise a satisfying breastfeeding relationship.
*Adapted from Mothering the Mother. Marshall Klaus, M.D.; Phyllis
Klaus, M.Ed., and John Kennell, M.D.
Why do I need a doula if I have a partner?
The presence of the partner is very important and as doulas, we
use our skills to complement those of the woman’s partner and care
provider, helping to ensure a positive birth memory. A quote from
Peggy Vincent’s book Baby Catcher: Chronicles of a Modern Midwife
(Scribner, 2002) states it best:
I remember my husband’s comment after (our third child’s) birth: “I
was so glad all those women were there to take care of you. I could
never quite get the hang of how I was supposed to ‘coach’ you the
previous times, when I’ve never had a baby. It was such a relief not
to have the pressure so I could be there for you, however you wanted
to use me.”
I am planning on getting an epidural, would a doula still be
helpful?
A doula will still be
helpful, offering emotional and informational support both to the
laboring mom and her partner. Often, laboring moms will wait until
their labor is well established before choosing an epidural. A doula
can help you with the physical support and comfort measures during
this time of your labor. Once the mom has made the decision to get
an epidural, the doula may still offer assistance by offering ideas
on pushing positions, reminding mom to have her bladder emptied or
giving the partner a break to grab something to eat. Any medication
or medical procedure is bound to be more effective if you feel
informed and supported during the process.
Since I will have a nurse and a doctor/midwife, why would I need a
doula?
Your doula and the nurse make a great team. The nurse is
responsible for charting, monitoring, reporting to the
doctor/midwife and sometimes checking on other patients. Your doula
will be a constant presence, focusing entirely on the laboring mom
and her partner. Physicians are trained as medical experts and since
birth is a normal life event, the physician stays in constant
contact with the nursing staff and arrives if there is a problem or
shortly before delivery. Midwives are becoming more common and are a
wonderful choice for women. The practices of midwives are growing
and changing. Some midwives rotate call with physicians, some
deliver at more than one facility and they have office hours in
which to see their patients. Your doulas job is not to replace the
medical team, merely complement their roles by providing constant
support and information to the mom and her partner.
How do I become a certified doula?
For detailed information, please go to
www.dona.org
To become certified through Doulas of North America, the
certification process consists of the following general steps:
Complete one of the following:
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Training in childbirth education or midwifery
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Nurses with work experience in Labor and Delivery
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Observe a childbirth preparation series (Not as an expectant parent)
Attend a DONA-approved labor support (doula) training course of 16
or more hours which includes the following:
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The emotional and psychological process of labor and birth.
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The anatomy and physiology of reproduction, labor and birth.
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Comfort measures and non-pharmacological pain management techniques.
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Appropriate topics for prenatal and postpartum discussion with
clients.
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Discussion of ethics and standards of practice for the doula.
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Referral sources for client needs beyond the scope of the doula.
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Communication skills and values clarification.
Copies of good evaluations from at least three clients to whom
you've provided labor support; plus evaluations from three primary
care providers, for every doctor evaluation, there must also be a
nurse evaluation. To be completed after the workshop. Copies of documentation from three births where you provided
continuous labor support including a 300-500 word essay. To be
completed after the workshop. Written essay (500-1,000 words) on the purpose and value of labor
support.
Signature on the DONA Code of Ethics and Standards of
Practice.
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