Another installment in our "Do I Need a Doula If..." series. See the rest here.
Doulas love childbirth education! Several of our doulas are also certified childbirth educators, and all of us recommend you take childbirth classes regardless of where and with whom you’re giving birth. We believe you can’t be too educated about the process and strategies of birth.
Childbirth classes, even the very best and most comprehensive ones, can’t give you experience in birth! Your doula not only has the knowledge you will gain in class (and probably more) she also has experience of when and how to use it! Doulas also support each other and often discuss situations that have occurred at previous birth – plus, we encourage our doulas to text or call a senior doula if they are in a situation that is new to them. This sort of wisdom enhances your classes.
No matter how closely you paid attention and how many notes you took, you will inevitably forget some of what you learned. Having a doula there is like taking your teacher with you! We often will remind you of something you learned in class or be able to fill in the knowledge gaps.
Emotions are understandably running high at a birth. Even the most clear-headed and rational person may find it hard to reason through things mid-contraction! Having a doula on-hand gives you a calm voice, and one who knows and cares about you and your wishes. Sometimes just having the doula there, speaking in a calm voice, changes the tone of a room.
So do you need a doula if you have had childbirth classes? Absolutely! Childbirth education and doulas go hand-in-hand to increase your chances of having exactly the birth you’re hoping for.
-JLHC
Doulas love childbirth education! Several of our doulas are also certified childbirth educators, and all of us recommend you take childbirth classes regardless of where and with whom you’re giving birth. We believe you can’t be too educated about the process and strategies of birth.
Childbirth classes, even the very best and most comprehensive ones, can’t give you experience in birth! Your doula not only has the knowledge you will gain in class (and probably more) she also has experience of when and how to use it! Doulas also support each other and often discuss situations that have occurred at previous birth – plus, we encourage our doulas to text or call a senior doula if they are in a situation that is new to them. This sort of wisdom enhances your classes.
No matter how closely you paid attention and how many notes you took, you will inevitably forget some of what you learned. Having a doula there is like taking your teacher with you! We often will remind you of something you learned in class or be able to fill in the knowledge gaps.
Emotions are understandably running high at a birth. Even the most clear-headed and rational person may find it hard to reason through things mid-contraction! Having a doula on-hand gives you a calm voice, and one who knows and cares about you and your wishes. Sometimes just having the doula there, speaking in a calm voice, changes the tone of a room.
So do you need a doula if you have had childbirth classes? Absolutely! Childbirth education and doulas go hand-in-hand to increase your chances of having exactly the birth you’re hoping for.
-JLHC
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