Frequently Asked Questions About Doulas - Part 1

As doulas, we are often asked certain questions over and over again.  In our latest YouTube webisode, I've covered the following:

What is a doula?
Are you the same as a midwife?
Can I have a doula if I would like pain relief, a cesarean, etc.?
Why should I consider a doula?


I'd like to answer more of your questions and hear your input!  Please comment below or email me at wombtocradle at gmail dot com!

Meet the Doula - Our First "Vlog!"

© From Womb to Cradle Doula Services, Inc. and Michelle Maisonville, CLD(CBI) 2008 - 2013

Inspired: An interview with Birth Source, Inc's Tracey Stolarchuk

In 2008, Michelle took a trip to Edmonton, where she had lived for three years and had given birth to both of her children.  She had been a longtime reader of Birth Issues magazine, a publication of the Association for Safe Alternatives in Childbirth (ASAC), and was excited to visit one of the advertised stores, Birth Source, Inc.  It was on that occasion that she had the great fortune to meet Tracey Stolarchuk who has been a friend, a mentor, and a great inspiration to the From Womb to Cradle family.  We are happy to share the following conversation with you, our readers, between Michelle and our friend, Tracey, who recently retired from professional doula work.

FWTC: Tell us about yourself (work, family, interests)

Tracey: I have had four children. My first son Paul was born 23 years ago, followed by Michael who is 17, Sean who is 11 and a daughter Megan who is 9. The best part of what I do as a Mom is sharing my love of Birth Source with my children. All of them are very proud of the work I do and value families and babies as much as I do. I homeschool my youngest two so they are at work with me each day as well.

FWTC: When and why did you decide to become a doula?

Tracey: I had attened several births long before learning about doulas and found that experience both very profound and rewarding. I met a woman many years later who was a postpartum doula and I was facinated with the philosophy and the opportunity to serve women and share my own experiences as a mother. She told me about the birth doula workshop that I attended and after finishing that with an amazing instructor I was hooked.

FWTC: How long did you practice? Did you work primarily in hospital or at home births? 

Tracey: My doula practice in all has spanned almost 15 years and I recently retired from professional work. Most of my clients were having their babies in the hospital but I was also very fortunate to be invited to homebirths as well.

FWTC: What motivated you to open Birth Source, Inc.?

Tracey: My professional work as a Birth Doula and Childbirth Educator meant sourcing out products for both myself and my clients. This began my quest for high quality items that would enhance the lives of birthing women and parents. I received more and more requests from customers along the way which lead to a larger retail undertaking ultimately launching the Birth Source online store. After a brief period of working from home I missed the face to face interaction with my customers and felt I could provide better service in person. My need to combine the retail and service portion of my business meant a space that accommodated both so the store front for Birth Source was born in September 2007.

FWTC: What are your favorite products?

Tracey: Hands down the most helpful product has been a baby carrier. As with many products, they have changed a lot over the years, but it ranks very high on my list of must-have products.

FWTC: What are your hopes and dreams for the future of Birth Source, Inc. and your work with families?

Tracey: Birth Source was never meant to be a single-faceted business. In fact, it was always meant to be a community resource, combining education, retail, support and community building to make the vision work. The most inspiring thing on my journey to create Birth Source has been the many, many people I have met and networked with that tell me, “Yes, this is what is missing in our community.” We need places like Birth Source to bring women back together on a mother-to-mother basis, sharing wisdom and joys and sorrows on a basic level with one another.

FWTC: Thank you so much, Tracey!  We're excited to share your business with many more families.

If you are in the Edmonton, AB area, you can visit Birth Source, Inc.'s retail location (click here for a virtual tour) at 5024 - 106 Avenue and/or call them for information on their upcoming workshops and community activities at (780) 758-2525.  Shop online at http://www.birthsource.ca


Tracey is also generously donating a Family Tree Glass "Birth Partner" Pendant to our 900th Facebook Fan Giveaway!  Thank you, Tracey!  Click here to enter the giveaway!

Winter 2011/2012 Special!

Kaitlin is offering a special rate for mothers due this winter!  For only $300 you can receive complete doula services including prenatal visits, childbirth preparation, labor support, birth photography and birth story, plus postpartum assistance!  This is a limited-time offer, so call Kaitlin today at (403) 581-1825 or send her an email!

**Valid only with Kaitlin and within Medicine Hat city limits.  First come, first served.

Career or Calling?

I've never been a typical "career woman."  I don't identify with high-powered corporate scenes.  Before motherhood, I worked for two busy accounting firms.  While such employment was financially rewarding, I wasn't all that motivated to become an executive.  I longed for more meaningful work.  

Eventually, following the births of my children, I was drawn to support families throughout the childbearing year.  I wasn't immediately sure which avenue to take or how it to go about it all, but I knew I had to do something.  Our family had benefited from the support of a doula, so it made sense to look into becoming one myself.  I was struck by the selflessness of the work.  The most amazing doulas I met, the ones I would most like to have as my own, had such giving hearts. They gave not only of their time, their expertise, but they truly asked little in return.  These doulas did not view their work as a business venture or a "job."  They did not turn families away due to economic or social standing.  No, to them, such work as a doula, literally a servant or slave, was a calling rather than a career.  That is the kind of doula I wanted to be, and still do.

From time to time I am asked about how one pursues a career as a doula or in the childbirth field... Such questions make me truly uncomfortable.  If I were to speak bluntly and merely looking at dollars and cents, I would  say that it is not realistic to expect to make a living as a doula.  If I were to answer by looking more deeply at the true spirit of a doula, I would say that one should not aspire to make a living as a doula.  

The life of a doula should not be a career, it is not a job... it is work - wholistic, unselfish, work of the heart.  We care, we give of our hearts, our souls, our hands...  It is emotional, raw, and intense.  Yes, we must be knowledgeable about the physiological and psychological processes of pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period; however, we must also respect and hold the space of the spiritual and emotional beauty and trials of the miracle of birth.  We must show unconditional love and support to the childbearing family.  There are times when we mourn with these families as well as rejoice with them.  

We do not punch a clock.  We serve.

Lamaze Healthy Birth Practices - Intro: Safe and Healthy Birth

Beginning today, we will explore the six Lamaze Healthy Birth Practices. Look for them all to be featured here! In addition to the videos on each practice, we've also included a link to a .pdf handout on the topic. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you may download it here.



Download the PDF document ~ Birth - As Safe and Healthy As It Can Be

Limits, Standards and Ethics

As a birth doula, I am not considered a medical professional; therefore, I can provide medical information, but never medical advice.  I respect the professionals I work with including midwives, doctors, nurses, childbirth educators, lactation consultants and other doulas.  I abide by the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics of my training organization.  If you have any questions regarding the standards I practice by, please email me.

DOULA! The Ultimate Birth Companion

Coming June 2010, a new film about the role of the birth doula! Enjoy the following preview!

Doula Training: Did you know?

Looking for a doula?  Did you know there are several organizations that train doulas in North America and the world? There are a variety of types of birth doula training to suit both the potential doula's interests and that of the expectant parents.  Some doulas apply for certification within months after taking a doula training while others may take a few years and still others do not choose to certify.  Doulas should continuously be studying up-to-date information on pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum issues. Her training should also include a breastfeeding component.  Parents need to ask whether a potential doula has received formal training, what her training has entailed, and how much experience she has.

Below is a list of many organizations that train doulas:

ALACE/IBWP

Aviva Institute
Binah Baby (Israel)

Birth Arts International

Birthing From Within

Birth Works

CAPPA

Childbirth International

DONA International

ICEA
ISIS Birtharts

It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the above organizations to know what a potential doula's training should have included as well as the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of her training organization.  Best wishes!  

In with the new!!

Wow!  It has been over a month since my last post.  The holidays were such a busy time.  I hope you all had a wonderful season filled with joy and the love of family and friends.

From Womb to Cradle was pleased to be a part of this year's Medicine Hat News Santa Claus Fund auction. The auction was just a small part of the Santa Claus Fund's effort to give families in our area a warm and happy holiday. Their efforts continue year round - http://www.mhsantafund.com/

In keeping with the new year, I'm excited to announce new changes to the From Womb to Cradle Doula Services practice!  We have added a new doula to our team.  Amanda Kleinsasser joins us from Tilley, just outside of Brooks, AB.  She will be serving Brooks, Drumheller and surrounding areas.

In addition to our new team member, we have also launched a brand-new website!  The design is breathtaking and ease of use has improved greatly.  We have included the same wonderful resources that were available on our previous website, now with clickable headings.  We also have a great new webmaster/web designer who welcomes contact regarding any issues with our site as well as design inquiries.  Visit our updated website today and see for yourself!  http://www.wombtocradle.com/

Thank you for your continued support and may you have a beautiful 2010!!

Michelle

The Difference Between Doulas and Midwives

Probably the most common question I am asked, as a birth doula, is whether I deliver or, catch, babies. While the answer may seem simple enough, no we do not catch babies, it is easy to see how one can be confused. After all, doulas are wholistic, as are midwives. Midwives promote breastfeeding and natural childbirth, as do doulas. The difference is, midwives are clinically trained to provide medical care to healthy expectant mothers and their babies. Doulas are non-clinical professionals who provide emotional, physical and informational support to expectant mothers and their families. The following video starring a midwife, explains perfectly the difference in our two roles.

A Doula's Focus - Is your doula putting you first?

You are the reason a doula does her job.  Her responsibility is to "mother the mother."  Is your doula putting you first?  Here are some things to look and listen for:

1. Your doula leads in gently, asking you how you found out about her practice, etc.  Not pressing for too much information too soon.
2. Your doula asks questions beginning with - Who, What, Where, When, How
3. She does not ask leading questions with the answer "built in," i.e. "You're not going to do that are you?"
4. Your doula offers the information you request.
5. Your doula does not offer her own story unless requested by you, but may give insights when appropriate.
6. She is a reflective and interpretive listener.
7. She offers helpful feedback always keeping you and your desires at the forefront.
8. Your doula does not overwhelm you with what ifs, too many statistics or technical jargon.
9. She is supportive, positive and caring.
10. She is humble, genuine and empathetic.

In short, you are the primary focus of your doula.  Her opinions, desires, etc. do not come into play.  She is 100% focused on you and your experience.  She is there to listen, comfort, inform and gently guide you through your birthing journey ~ honouring it as your precious life experience.

Video - The Facts About Waterbirth

***Please Note: Some information on this video can be contradicted, for the latest information on waterbirth please visit http://www.waterbirth.org.  This is not a production of Waterbirth International.

Water birth facts