A Doula Interview for Wellness Wednesday

I had the pleasure of interviewing one of the best doulas around, Julie Byers, just a few weeks before she gave birth to her second baby. Her birth story is amazing and you can read it here and here. She took the time to answer all my questions and I found out a lot of stuff I didn't know! I hope you find this informative!!


Me: What is a doula?


Julie: The literal translation of the word is "female slave" in Greek. And, frankly, I find that description to fit what most doulas do. We do whatever the birthing woman needs us to do--and that looks very different to each family. The professional term has evolved to mean a woman who assists during childbirth. She provides emotional and physical support to laboring families. She also helps the couple to know what to expect from their care providers and birth environment, reminds them of questions to ask, and often communicates birth wishes to the medical team. At a time when birth has become more procedure oriented and medicalized, the doula can assist a couple in creating a unique and celebratory experience. We guard their space. Some couples want more from their birth than to simply show up and be delivered of a baby. They want to be active and informed participants.


Me: Why do I need a doula?


Julie: In my opinion, for a first time couple planning a hospital birth, a doula is an absolute essential part of the plan. Regardless of your birth choices (natural, medicated, induced, elective c-section), a doula is the only part of your birth team who is only answering to you. She isn't answering to the hospital administration or a malpractice insurance policy. She knows the routines, the pitfalls, and the perks. Sometimes, just the fact that a couple hires a doula sends a message to the medical team that they have given thought to their birth and that they take informed consent seriously. For out-of-hospital births and experienced couples, a doula is still a powerful addition to the team.


Me: What certifications, experience, expertise should I look for when interviewing a doula?

Julie: I think the most important thing to look for in a doula is how she meshes with your personality and needs. Her ability to tune into your needs will be her best skill and sometimes people just don't mesh. So, don't choose a doula with more experience or better certification that you didn't feel comfortable with. There are several certifying organizations (DONA, CAPPA, Hypnobabies, Birthing From Within, etc). Some doulas choose to certify and some don't. Some receive their training from apprenticing with other doulas/midwives and some attend workshops or complete distance learning courses. I love when couples ask me for references from OBs/midwives or couples I've worked with.


Me: How much can I expect to pay a doula?


Julie: The range I've noticed in our area is between $500-800. You can often find a student doula for less or for free. Some doulas will barter. And usually, a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) will cover doula services. I tell couples: remember what you paid for your wedding! This event is important! Besides, a doula is much less than an epidural or c-section.


Me: Are there rules about paying more if a labor goes longer, or less if it is shorter? Are tips standard?

Julie: I have heard of doulas charging more if a labor goes longer but that is not typical. We usually charge a flat fee regardless of length of labor. Each doula will have a contract with specific provisions for things like precipitous births or planned cesareans. Some couples tip and some don't--I never expect it.


Me: How many times should I meet with my doula?


Julie: It varies. Most offer a free birth consultation or interview. Then, if hired, meet with the couple two times before the birth. The doula is available by phone or email from the time they are hired until the couple is settled postpartum.


Me: What red flags should I look for when interviewing a doula?

Julie: Agendas. Some doulas only want to support unmedicated births or seem to have a plan of their own about how birth should go. You want a doula who takes time to understand your needs and wishes, the culture of your family, and what is most important to you.


Me: Do I need to have my doula approved by my doctors/hospital?

Julie: No, you can bring whomever you choose to your birth. However, it is a good idea to mention to your OB/midwife that you have hired a doula. Or invite your doula to a prenatal appointment even.


Me: Should my doula attend my childbirth education classes with me?

Julie: If it is ok with your instructor and your doula is not familiar with your particular childbirth education choice, this might be beneficial. If you are a single mother, having your doula attend your class with you would be excellent!


Me: I would like to give a gift to my doula. What are some appropriate gift ideas?

Julie: Something simple would be a picture of the doula with your new baby. I love getting those! Other ideas might be birth jewelry or art. www.attachmentscatalog.com has a section of lovely doula gifts.


Me: Where should I go to find qualified doulas in my area?

Julie: Ask. I get all of my clients through word of mouth. Post to a message board like Upstate Moms, ask midwives or childbirth educators, talk to a playgroup. Or google.


Me: I'm afraid that the doula I like is too expensive. Are there grants available? Could we barter? Are there options?

Julie: Most doulas will work with you on this one. Payment plans are almost always an option. I have had couples pay me months after a birth when they received their tax refund! And I've bartered. I mentioned using a flex spending account. And check with your insurance company--you never know!


Me: How many births have you attended?

Julie: I hate this question because I haven't taken the time to add them up! I honestly don't know. I didn't mean to become a doula so many of my early births went undocumented--one day I'll gather together all the records. I will say that I attend 2-3 births per month now and I average 12 hours of continuous labor support (not including prenatal and postpartum care) with each couple.

*A big thanks to Julie for answering each question so thoughtfully and completely... She's the best!! :)

Wellness Wednesday

Today is Wellness Wednesday, but this week is World Breastfeeding Week. So, what's a girl to do? I had hoped to have enough research to support a well written post about all the known wellness benefits to breastfeeding. But I ran out of time. It's on my to-do list for next year. Instead, I am going to share my home remedies for colds and coughs that you can use while nursing. You know how on all the bottles on medicine it says to consult your physician of you are pregnant or nursing? Well, that's why I don't take medicines... I've been pregnant or nursing for the last 35 months and I have gotten sick here and there. Here's my regimen (and thanks, Linda, for sharing it with me!!)

When the signs or symptoms of a cold come on, like a weird tickle in the back of my throat, or a little scratchiness this is what I do:

2000mg Garlic (over the counter is perfect) every hour for 4 hours (You and your entire house will probably smell like an Italian restaurant, but who doesn't like Italian?!?)
500-1000mg Calcium every hour for 4 hours
350mg Echinacea

After the initial bolus of Garlic and Vitamin C, I spread it out to:

2000mg Garlic every 4 hours
500-1000mg Vitamin C every 4 hours
350mg Echinacea morning and night (Echinacea is only potent for the first 5 days or so, so you can leave this off after that period of time.)

Just a note of caution. Vitamin C is water soluble (so is not toxic) but can cause diarrhea or loose stools. If you experience that, then back off.

I continue with this protocol until the symptoms subside- usually 3 to 5 days depending on the illness. (When I had my sinus infection, it lasted for 7 days... that was yuck.)

I have also come across some yummy teas that help with coughing. Recently, I ordered Blue Violet Leaves, Calendula Leaves, Cramp Bark, Slippery Elm, and Plantain Leaves. I put some of each in a tea ball and created a lovely hot tea that helped to reduce my coughing while at the same time making each cough I did have more productive. I made sure that none of them were contraindicated for nursing and have been pleased with the results!!

Wellness Wednesday!

I've decided to devote Wednesdays to some sort of focus on health and well being, hence the title Wellness Wednesday. This week, my focus is on my medicine cabinet. Just a few years ago, my cabinet would have been jam-packed full of various aspirins, ibuprofens, antibiotics (my dad is a doctor), nasal sprays (Afrin was my favorite), and a variety of random other things. Well, last night I was searching through my cabinet and here's what I pulled out:
Turns out they are hard to read!! So, I'll start from the back row, left to right:

Catnip for Kids: This is an alcohol-free supplement that helps to promote calmness and rest in kids. In adults, it helps us to turn off our brains- like flipping a switch, but tastes a lot like booze to me. I was happy to find the alcohol-free for my 2 year old.

SambuGuard: An immunity booster with elderberry to help kids fight off whatever they have. It's nice and sweet so most children don't mind taking it. My child knew it was going to help her, so she refused it! :)

Just Once Prenatal: This is for me! I love Rainbow Light products. I would generally be of the assumption that prenatals are not necessary as long as one's diet is excellent. And while I have a decent diet, I do not have the budget to purchase chemical free, high quality local fresh food all the time. So, I supplement with the prenatals.

Fish Oil: After my first pregnancy, around 8 months I developed a mild case of postpartum depression. I didn't want to go anywhere, I was constantly terrified that something was going to happen to me or my baby, and I was having trouble communicating with my husband. After a few weeks, I realized that all this wasn't normal and started looking online for some helpful resources to combat the ppd. I found that the omega-3s in fish oil help postively effect seratonin levels. Two weeks after my new routine of fish oil and I was feeling like my old self again... and not my self before kids. My old, old self- before the seeds of self consciousness and self doubt and crept in. I've since stayed the course with fish oil. I stopped taking it about 4 weeks before my second daughter was born (some say the oil makes the blood slippery, perhaps increasing the risk of postpartum hemorrhage) and began immediately afterward. I can honestly say this is the clearest and most focused I have been in my adult life.

Garlic: I love garlic!! I take 500-1000 mg every day when I'm well, and many many more when I am sick. Garlic has antibiotic and antibacterial effects and is a natural healer. Even mainstream medicine is starting to see the medicinal benefits of garlic.

Vitamin C: I take Vitamin C when I am starting to get sick, too along with the garlic. I read somewhere that if the medical establishment confessed to how potent and beneficial vitamin C was, many would lose their jobs!! So, I am always stocking up on the C. It is a natural antioxidant and also helps to boost the immune system.

Vitamin D3: I take 2000IU (the "upper limit") of this vitamin every day. Recent studies have shown that we need approximately 10,000IU of this vitamin weekly. And it has been shown to have impressive benefits against diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure and others. I will continue to take this vitamin!!!

Calcium/Magnesium/Potassium: I originally started taking a cal/mag supplement when I was pregnant and having some annoying Braxton Hicks contractions- very regularly and keeping me up all night. More recently, I began having some PVCs (premature ventricular complexes) - basically my heart would skip a beat and then have to overwork to get it back on track. I talked to my dad and he recommended a cal/mag supplement. After 3 weeks, I had no more PVCs and have found that not only did it make the PVCs go away, it let me sleep better (I take only 1 supplement each day at nighttime), and it improved my mood, too!!

Echinacea: I take this if I start to feel a cold coming on. I read that overuse of echinacea actually reduces its potency, so I usually use it only for 5 days.

Front Row:

Garlic Ear Drops: Because little kids normally don't swallow pills, this garlic ear drop does the same as the supplement that I take... but it is for the little ones!

Pulsatilla: I love this homeopathic. It helps to dry up runny noses and according to homeopathy resources will help weepy, clingy children. I haven't tried it for that purpose, but know it dries up a runny nose quickly! Don't take it if you are nursing, though!! It can dry up your milk, too...

Similason Earache Relief: We are big on not taking antibiotics, so when my 2 year old started complaining of an earache, we started with this. I don't know if I noticed any immediate relief, but after 2 days, the earache was resolved... but the cold continued for another 5 days.

Valerian: This is a supplement I give to my toddler when she is having trouble resting. It, like catnip, helps to promote calmness and helps her to fall asleep. We don't use it often, but I think it works really well when we do use it.

Silver: This is a great immunity booster, as well. I've used it and have also given it to my toddler during this last illness. It doesn't taste like anything, but I felt like we would greatly benefit from anything that would boost our immune systems!!

So, what do you have in YOUR medicine cabinet?? What can you not live without??

**A quick disclaimer. I am not a doctor or a naturopath or anything. I am just a mom. I have gotten many of these supplements after speaking with my father, researching on the internet, speaking with my friend and midwife, and reading in books. Before you ingest ANYTHING (or treat your children) you should do adequate research to know the benefits as well as the risks. Use common sense!!