Frequently Asked Questions
A Doula is a professional coach to guide you through the pregnancy, birth, and parenting journey. Doulas have been shown to decrease rates of unplanned cesarean rates by as much as 30%. Doulas do not provide medical advice and they do not replace the relationship you have with your OB or midwife; they complement it!
Doulas work their magic by helping you tap into your own strength, support normal labor by reducing stress hormones and enhancing the labor hormone oxytocin, and help the baby navigate through the pelvis with position changes and movement during labor.
Post-partum doulas help you define and reach your breastfeeding goals, show you how to take care of your baby and yourself, and help you get your baby to sleep!
The baby has to make a quarter turn to get from your womb through the pelvis to be born. The pelvis is not just a round tube, it’s curved and has areas where it’s wide and where it’s narrow. Specific movements and positions are helpful to get the baby into starting position (at the entry to the pelvis), make the turn in the middle of the pelvis, and be born through the lower part of the pelvis (the pelvic outlet) and then the vagina.
The pelvis is made up of several joints. Practicing pelvic mobility daily leading up to the birth will help the pelvis make room for the baby when it’s needed during the birth. This can make labor shorter, and a vaginal birth more likely. Practicing perineal massage can help reduce tears during birth.
A doula is there to support you and your partner. They can guide your partner in massage techniques and comfort measures during the birth. There is no one like your partner or close friend to help you feel grounded, connected, and loved and doulas can guide them how to help you.
Doulas do not provide medical advice and they do not replace the relationship you have with your OB or midwife; they complement it! Doulas can help you define your goals and ask the right questions. During labor they help you be an active participant in your care. Doulas help provide encouragement and support from the pregnancy until your early days as a new parent.
Labor nurses know how the labor is progressing, how you are doing and how the baby is doing. They are the medical professionals who you’ll see a lot of during your birth. eDoula gives them the tools to help you with coping and with positions that will make the birth go as smoothly as possible.
Stress hormones can inhibit the labor hormone oxytocin. Coping strategies taught by doulas such as breathing techniques, a ritual, massage, visualizations, and a calming environment all decrease stress hormones. The labor hormone, oxytocin, is also called the “cuddle hormone”, because it’s released when you cuddle or use one of our massage techniques!
Being in the familiar environment of your home is ideal to help the labor hormone oxytocin kick in. Science tells us that being admitted early in labor increases the chance of needing help with the labor and birth, including the chance of cesarean birth. Labor can take a long time and being in the comfort of your own home at the start of the journey sets you up for success. Make sure you stay in contact with your medical care team, because they may have recommendations for monitoring or admission based on your personal history and situation.
Pregnancy is actually the ideal time to learn about breastfeeding. You’ll be less tired and better able to learn new information. When your baby is here, you’ll know how to get started and can troubleshoot if needed with the app!
No worries, you can add up to three support people to the app if you don’t know who will be at the birth with you.