The one with Boo-hockey
7/24/2018
It’s been a hot minute since I blogged. It’s been written on my calendar as a to-do, in tiny increments for weeks now. But, in reality, the thing that gets me typing is passion. Because let’s be honest, I have a LOT more to say about the things that “get my goat” as my husband would say, than I do about the topics I have written down on my calendar.
What’s the proverbial bee in my bonnet? Someone said something untrue about me. Ok, so maybe not directly about me. It was about doulas. Someone (in somewhat of an authority position) essentially said that doulas were a waste of money unless you have a spontaneous, natural birth. (If you could audibly gasp for effect here, that would be ah-maz-ing. Thankyouverymuch.)
Guys, this is so untrue. So much so. Sure, there are some rogue doulas out there who may only be about that bass, and who are only supportive of natural, unmedicated, spontaneous birth and nothing else. But, at Rocket City Doulas, we don’t fit that bill. We care for our clients, and in our caring, strive to provide the support that matches what our clients desire. We are so much more than just a tool for an unmedicated birth.
Sure, a large percentage of clients choose to have an unmedicated birth. But, our clients also choose epidurals. Some of them know they want an epidural before they ever go into labor. Some clients are undecided, some have planned cesareans, and some have a planned induction. Some clients have inductions and birth without pain medication, and some do not.
So, what do we do at “medicated” births? The same thing we do at non-medicated births.
- We talk with our clients to figure out what type of support they need and want from us.
- We help them navigate choices and decisions during pregnancy and birth. We discuss what to expect and discuss what questions to ask providers.
- We hold space for them during birth.
- We support them physically (yes, even clients with epidurals! We hold legs, massage hands/feet/shoulders/heads. Sometimes help them change positions.)
- We support them emotionally, (this tends to be an even bigger component with clients who are having planned cesareans.) We discuss fears and anxieties.
- We support them spiritually.
- If we’re talking super specific to me personally, (Tracy) we help them capture memories with photography.
The concept that only natural birth clients are to be supported in their choices by doulas is Boo-Hockey (any FRIENDS fans?) Our main goal at Rocket City Doulas is not a natural birth. Our main goal is that you feel supported in your decisions. We want you to walk away from your birth feeling like the freaking amazing rockstar that you are.
**We miss being in our local hospitals right now. We are hopeful, that with the vaccine available, we will soon be able to resume in-hospitals services in Huntsville and Madison. Until then, we are providing virtual birth services, in-person birth services at hospitals that are allowing doulas, comfort measures classes, and in-person postpartum services. (All of our doulas are also in the process of receiving their covid vaccinations.)
*This was originally posted on our previous blog. We have edited it and changed some things to reflect current thoughts and policies.
