BIRTH DOULA TRAINING
13th November, 2022
I love learning!
Whether it is new skills, new research or just information that could have been around for eons but is something that I’m learning about for the first time. I even enjoy re-learning information that I have learnt before, as I enjoy hearing it again from a different perspective. By re-learning or layering information, it gives me a greater understanding and appreciation of the material.
My latest undertaking has been Doula training and I have just finished up my 2-week face-to-face intensive training at the Doula Training Academy (https://doulatrainingacademy.com.au/) with the highly experienced and skilled Vicki Hobbs. The 2-week training allows me to be a Student Birth Doula and after finishing my required assessments and attending a few births, I will become a certified Birth Doula.
So why would I add being a doula to my skill set?
Firstly, I love supporting the birthing partner! Throughout my Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) career I have attended many lectures/workshops on the use of acupressure for labour preparation and for the labour itself (Teachers – Debra Betts, Dr. Kate Levett, Claudia Citkovitz). Through my massage training I have learnt many bodywork techniques and comfort measures that may also be of use during labour (Tafe NSW, Nature Care Collage, Pregnancy Massage Australia). I already see birthing parents in my private practice and pass on to them all the relevant knowledge and skills that I have learnt. Through the Doula Training Academy, I have learnt even more skills in this area so I feel that I can provide birth parents a wider range of hands-on techniques and comfort measures that can be used during labour.
Some of the benefits of hands-on support can be:
‘Boosting’ oxytocin – through massage and acupressure, which promotes the normal cascade of hormones to establish regular contractions/surges.
Through touch, providing pain relief by boosting endorphins, the body’s natural pain reliving hormones to help the birthing mother manage her pain.
Techniques and positions that may allow the baby to have a smooth transition through the pelvis into the birth canal.
We all know that hands on comfort measures are just one small part of labour. Other ways in which to support the support person could be through:
Educating them so that they can understand the physiological process of birth
Explain how the hormones interplay with one another,
Talk about what the ‘stages’ of birth are
And provide an understanding of what the birthing parent may experience.
Doula’s can also provide support to both birthing parents by:
Enhancing their knowledge of breathing techniques
Going over a ‘Birth Plan’ in detail and discussing the possible cascades of intervention
Chat about optimal birthing positions
and informing the child birthing parent the importance of their rights in the birthing room and empowering them to speak up for themselves especially around areas of consent, non-consent, and withdrawal of consent.
Research has shown that families who have had a respectful birth and were involved with all their decision making were more likely to have a positive and satisfactory birth outcome than those who weren’t.
Many, many thankyous, and much appreciation to the lovely Vicki Hobbs and her many, many guest lectures, for my doula sisters Nikola and Abi for sharing all their experiences and wisdom.
This training has enrichened my life both personally and professionally and I cannot wait for it to become a standard offering in my business.
