People are often surprised when I tell them that I can attend hospital births. A misconception about doulas is that we only attend home births. It makes sense that people would think this. Usually, when people talk about doulas it is in the context of home birth or other alternative ways of birthing. The reality is, doula support can be as unique as you are. Wherever you choose to birth and whatever kind of support you need, there is a doula out there who would love nothing more than to support you in achieving exactly that.
Most people I know choose to birth in the hospital setting. Many want to have an epidural or another form of pain medication. In 2017, 98.4% of people gave birth in the hospital setting. If you want to give birth in the hospital, you are in good company! Wherever you decide to give birth, it is important to seek out the support that you need. In my opinion, birthing in a hospital is even more of a reason to have a doula.
Many people birthing in hospitals worry that a doula would be out of place. The stereotype about doulas is that we will bring a bunch of alternative comfort measures, herbs, lights, aromatherapy, and more. You might be concerned that their presence will be overbearing or impede on what the hospital staff needs to do. If these are worries of yours, consider the following points.
- Some doulas specialize specifically in supporting clients in the hospital setting. Doulas are not a hive mind. While some doulas hope for a world where everyone births outside of the hospital, other doulas specifically want to support people in the hospital for various reasons. These doulas are likely very skilled at navigating the hospital system, working with medical providers, and being cognizant of their surroundings. The focus of support within the hospital system is different than outside so it’s important to find a doula who has these skills.
- Your doula is there to center your preferences. If you want your hospital room to be decked out with twinkle lights and an essential oil diffuser, a doula can assist you in that. If you’d rather keep things simple, then they will follow your lead. Becoming confident in your preferences and communicating them with others is key, whether you have a doula or not. A doula is not going to push what they want on you. If you start to feel like they are pushing things that you don’t want during prenatal visits, then it’s time to have a conversation with them. If that doesn’t work, you might consider finding a new doula.
- Having a doula in the hospital can be helpful when it comes to medical interventions and other obstetric tools. Many people don’t realize until the time of the birth just how many medical interventions may be offered to them. It can be overwhelming and confusing. Doulas have knowledge about the benefits and risks of all obstetric tools. While doulas cannot offer you medical advice, they can provide you with more information, backed up by evidence-based research, that can help you to weigh the pros and cons of your decision. Doulas can also clarify information with providers, amplify your voice, and give you reassurance about your decisions. Having that comforting presence can be so beneficial in a setting that can feel very clinical.
- If you want an epidural, it’s a good idea to have an extra set of helping hands. While an epidural can help you manage pain, it is not a surefire way to have a quick, easy birth. It comes with its own set of concerns. You will need a lot of extra support for your physical needs because your movement will be limited. It is important to continue switching positions every 20-30 minutes, even though it will be more difficult to do so. A doula can help to physically move you, as well as suggest creative ideas for positioning yourself in the bed with a peanut ball.
- You deserve to have support. Time and time again, I hear birthing people have limiting beliefs around getting support. You may be thinking, “My mom gave birth in the hospital without any support. Why should I be any different?” You may have heard horror stories about pregnancies and thought, “Well, at least I don’t have that working against me.” The truth is that everyone deserves support. It’s a shame that so many of us go through this transformational and demanding (physically, emotionally, mentally) with little to no support. When you take the brave step of getting support, you encourage other people to do the same.
I think it’s time we start normalizing doulas in the hospital setting. So when someone talks about their birth, the first question isn’t, “Did you get an epidural?” Instead it’s, “Did you have a doula with you?” Let’s start bringing awareness to the creative ways doulas can bring you comfort, reassurance, information, and other forms of support. You are worth it.
The thought of getting support and having the birth you want might feel unattainable now. But I promise it is attainable. My work specifically revolves around helping you make bold choices and gain confidence around birthing. Does this sound like something you’d like? If so, take a look at my virtual doula care, birth education classes, and other services.