The word “doula” is Greek, and means “woman’s servant”. For thousands of years, women have served other women during their births, and their support has been proven to have positive outcomes.
“It is a matter of the woman being comfortable, not stressed, in a place where she feels safe, without people fussing, without other people stressing, without anyone else trying to have the baby for her, no clocks, no timing, no telling her what her body already knows.” — Libby Williams
A doula is a woman who has been trained in childbirth, either professionally or through experience, to aid women in their prenatal, labor, birth, and postpartum experience. Her main goal is the mother’s health, wellness, and comfort. She will provide emotional, physical, and informational support throughout the process.
Usually, doula’s are available 24/7 for texting and phone call support, and are available in the weeks surrounding a mother’s birth.Her place is always by the mother’s side, or helping to do the things a mother needs to have done.
Months before your baby is due, you should already hire your doula, so everyone can build a strong relationship in preparation for the child. They are able to lower your birth risks, first and most importantly by helping you write up a cohesive birth plan. Doula’s concern themselves with the mother’s health and wellness, and will aid the mother in making nutritionally sound choices, and this leads to reduced rates of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes during pregnancy. They are able to aid in laboring techniques, which results in statistically lower use of epidurals and other pain interference during the birth process. Having a doula has been proven to reduce c-section rates, as well as give the mother and father a greater satisfaction with birth experience.
Doula’s are not there to take the husband or partner’s place; they are there to
“My husband (partner) is my left hand and my doula is my right.” — from “Doula’s Making a Difference”.
support and affirm both parents. Doula’s give the partner comfort and confidence in their role, can help the partner remember key decisions in rapidly changing situations, and can make sure the partner is in the right place at the right time.
Just as importantly, a doula gives your medical staff assistance as well. If you end up deciding that you would like medication, your doula can remind you of your birth plan, or tell you about your options as needed.Doctors and nurses tend to feel their patients are more informed when they have a doula in the room, and they also know that the mother with a doula is usually calmer and less anxious than other mothers. This leads to quicker, safer births.
Lastly, having a postpartum doula can lead to reduced postpartum depression, as well as gives the mother the much needed rest that she not only wants but requires! More and more evidence is showing that how a mother is taken care of in the year after her child is born (but especially during the 4th trimester!) effects her for the rest of her life! It is so vital and important for a mother to spend her first month postpartum in bed, and this is where a postpartum doula can come in. She can give the motherbreastfeeding support, help with small housework such as laundry and cooking, and look after the baby for a moment so mom can grab a quick shower! A postpartum doula is also a good person to talk to about postpartum belly binding, if you think you are interested.
Black infants consistently have had the lowest rates of breastfeeding initiation and duration across all study years. Black mothers may need more, targeted support to start and continue breastfeeding (cdc.gov). Hiring a doula can help you gain confidence while breastfeeding a newborn.
Every woman should have a doula at her birth–and worldwide there are thousands! There are so many women eager and willing to give another woman the care she deserves during her child bearing experience, please be sure to ask around your town for help no matter what your financial situation, or how well you think you can handle everything alone!
Please contact me if you have any more questions about what a doula is or does!
At the moment, I service Postpartum mothers through belly binding and pregnancy, postpartum, and birth rituals. If you are looking for a birthworker of color still feel free to talk to me, however! I am connected with hundreds of birthworkers across the United States (and some beyond!) and would love to see if we can connect you with someone who can closely align with your personal needs!
“The way a woman gives birth can affect the whole of the rest of her life. How can that not matter? Unless the woman herself does not matter?” –Beverley Beech and Belinda Phipps
A woman’s moon cycle, contrary to modern opinion, should not be the worst time of her life. The menstrual cycle is often lambasted as the bane of all existence, oftentimes worse than childbirth, the reason all women are awful, and the reason every party must end early. But should every month, once a month, a woman experience the worst time of her life? Should we just accept that in this beautiful world of living that we have all been put into, where the bees make honey and photosynthesis is a thing, that our periods were the one awful time that had to be thrown into paradise to make sure we didn’t have too much fun?
Belly Bind with whichever traditionally died fabrics call to you! With Batiks, Kente, Dashiki, Ankara, and more, almost any color or combination is possible to make this the perfect gift and way to feel beautiful even during your moon cycle!
When a woman suffers during her cycle, and often this begins at the very beginning of her ever having a menstrual cycle at between 10 and 14 years old, her body is often trying to tell her something. For most women, going on the pill and artificially regulating her period is not at all necessary, and usually restrains her from being able to find out the underlying cause of her womb discomfort during her moon cycle.
Many woman are turning to alternative methods of womb health during their moon cycle. More and more are beginning to use menstrual cups, cloth pads, cotton tampons, and sea sponges as a safe, clean way to handle the blood during their period. They are also trying to find healthier ways to mitigate the pain.
I know that I was shocked when I really took a step back and counted how much Tylenol and Motrin I went through on the average month–in the average first three days of my period! I immediately stopped taking Tylenol, but I had needed assistance my whole life with my period, and knew I needed some type of pain relief. I switched to using a menstrual cup, and this brought my period down by a day or two, but I still wanted those little pieces of comfort as I worked on truly detoxing my body and my womb.
Sometimes, applying pressure to the abdomen while cramping can relieve the pain in a natural way.
There are still many options for natural pain relief during one’s moon cycle, even after you have switched to all natural products only for your yoni!A sock full of rice for heating in the microwave, or a hot water bottle are both wonderful ways to ease cramps. Some women are comforted by certain scents in aromatherapy. In California (and a few other states now), women can easily get a marijuana prescription for their cramps, especially if they are already taking Tylenol or Motrin for the pain!
One more thing you can add to your bag of tricks is menstrual belly binding! It is the act of using your belly binding cloth during your moon cycle. When a woman experiences cramps on her period, one of her first acts is to curl up in a ball, putting pressure on her womb with either her hands or a pillow. Belly binding during this time works much in the same way!
Let me be clear, the moon cycle period is not the time for waist training and trying to make your waist tiny. It is a time for detox, rest, and rejuvenation–your body needs that and it should be respected! During your moon cycle, it is best to simply make your belly binding as tight as needed to feel supported and relief from cramps only.
There is plenty of time to be able to waist train your body, and your moon cycle is not the time for it. You may, however, find that belly binding helps you mitigate your bloating during this time, and even that it shortens the time of your period, too!Every woman is different.
If you have any questions about belly binding during your menstrual cycle, let me know! And if you’ve ever tried it yourself, leave a comment! Every woman is different–belly binding gives me relief from cramps, how about you?
The Path of a Goddess 