Description

In this pregnancy video learn how the support of a doula throughout a pregnancy increases the chances of having a safe birth as well as a healthier newborn.

Transcript

How Doulas Help Before and After Birth Stacey Weckstein: I felt I needed a full time doula for the emotional and physical support. Female: When Stacey Weckstein became pregnant with her second child she figured she might need some extra help when the baby finally arrived. Stacey Weckstein: You don’t know how you’re going to feel after the trauma of giving birth physically you’re tired and having two children now I’m running after a two year old and having to nurture a new born. I think it’s really important to have that extra person there who’s been through it so many times and has all that experience with so many babies that really get to on your way. Female: So Stacey hired Novia, as nurse and a postpartrum doula. Novia Jackson: I love babies and it’s my pleasure helping someone in need and helping them to the best of my ability in whatever way I can. Stacey Weckstein: I interviewed two doulas and I picked the second person I interviewed because I felt like she answered my questions. During the interview, she asked me questions, she was interested in my family situation and how I was feeling. Female: Some moms may opt to hire live-in for several months while others like Stacey may feel they need assistance only a few hours a day for a few weeks. What the doulas do in that time? Novia Jackson: We make sure that the babies are well secured and well fed, clean and everything so that the mothers can feel confident, get as much rest as possible. Stacey Weckstein: If I need to take a nap she’ll take the baby. If I need any information like how many ounces is right they have that information available and that support available. Marlo Robinson: Sometimes just talking to them means a lot to them. Sometimes just simple as making a meal and giving her bathrobe and send her off the bed and sometimes this is more involved, we do like a housework or are really there to do whatever she needs us to do to support her emotionally and physically. Female: Of course like all good help doulas can get expensive. Many charge in hourly fee while others will negotiate a daily, weekly or monthly rate. Marlo Robinson: I don’t think there’s a room in this profession who ever say to as women, sorry, you can't afford a doula, you can't have one. Female: A postpartrum doula can do everything from helping a new mom learn to breastfeed to washing the dishes. Obviously, that’s an add to the expense that many new mom will have to stretch to afford but Stacey says, the extra help is worth it. Stacey Weckstein: Definitely worth it if you were to hire somebody who didn’t have that kind of training you would be spending less money but you would be taking more of a chance on whether you’re getting the right kind of care.