There are
so many questions pregnant women have, but here are many questions that many wont even know to ask about pregnancy, labor and after the baby is born. Michelle Smith IAT, CPD and Owner of Embracing Babies interviews Debbie Benton, a certified Midwife assistant, Birthing and Postpartum Doula. Debbie is a wealth of information, you will be grateful you read what Debbie had to say!
Michelle: What is the cost of a birthing doula?
Debi: The cost of a doula can vary greatly. But it normally ranges from $1800 to 2500 and up.
Michelle: What is the cost of a midwife?
Debi: For the services of a midwife and more specifically a midwife offering home birth services, I would say it averages about $6000. A midwife can do all your prenatal care, labor and delivery, and postpartum follow up care.
Michelle: What is the cost of home birth?
Debi: This would be included in the services of a midwife
Michelle: What is the price for a water tub?
Debi: Approximately $250 for rental. A home birth midwife may have a tub available for use and you would just purchase the disposable liner for the tub, along with any other required home birth supplies.
Michelle: What are some of the benefits of using a water tub?
Debi: Laboring in water can be very relaxing for mom, or at least cut down on the sensations and intensity of the contractions during labor by as much as 50%.
Michelle: What is the most painless way to labor?
Debi: Stay present and relaxed as much as possible, let go of any fear and tension. To have loving and caring support. Those that support you will know and understands what is important to you for your birth experience, and help to keep the environment as calm, peaceful, and quiet as possible, limit interruptions from outside sources in order to create a sense of privacy for mom. The family should not bring their own agendas, it is all about mom.
Michelle: What is the average length of first baby labor?
Debi: It can range anywhere from 12 to 20 hours, on average, but of course every labor is different, as every woman is different.
Michelle: Will the water always break naturally?
Debi: No. Many times the water will break during the active labor phase or the transition phase of the first stage of labor.
Michelle: Is there a benefit to having the water broken by the care provider (Midwife or OB) ?
Debi: In some circumstances there may be a benefit such as to help speed up the progress of labor. It can also help to bring the baby down and apply more direct pressure to the cervix and therefore aid in dilation. This is something that should be determined on an individual basis, and keep in mind the position of the baby. I don’t believe it is necessary, nor that it is beneficial unless the baby is in a favorable position and mom is dilated beyond 4 to 5cm. The baby can be born in the water bag, although rarely happens.
Michelle: Is it painful to deliver the placenta?
Debi: It is not painful to deliver the placenta, but mom may still feel some contractions, yet now she has her baby in her arms, and this is a great distraction.
Michelle: Would you recommend placenta encapsulation?
Debi: I do recommend placenta encapsulation. Taking the placenta capsules can help a mom to have an easier postpartum recovery and adjust from the sudden reduction in hormone levels. The placenta contains her own natural hormones and can help her during the recovery process in many ways, such as balancing hormones, easing fatigue, and lessen postpartum bleeding just to list a few.
Michelle: What does a doula do?
Debi: A doula will provide a nonjudgmental form of support; support that is loving, caring, emotional, and educational. The doula will provide support during pregnancy through the postpartum period, and be available to answer questions your provider may not be able to answer simply due to not being able to spend enough time with you. She will listen to your concerns and help you find your own unique way of approaching “your” birth experience. During labor a doula can also provide physical comfort measures, assist mom with changing positions, give emotional support to the mother and father, as well as be an advocate for them.
Michelle: Should women use a yoga ball or not?
Debi: The yoga ball can be helpful during pregnancy and in labor. There are a number of exercises that can be done with the yoga ball, and in laboring provides a soft comfortable place to sit where a mom can rotate her legs to the sides while slightly leaning forward. Also, gentle bouncing, swaying side to side, moving her hips in a circular motion or figure eight motion can be helpful. She can also lean on the yoga ball with her arms and head while kneeling. A doula can usually provide a yoga ball if it is needed.
Michelle: What is a doula not allowed to do?
Debi: A doula does not provide medical care or advice, nor can she diagnosis or treat any medical concern.
Michelle: Why should she hire a doula?
Debi: There are many different reasons why you should hire a doula. Most of all is for the support aspect. Someone who can support what you want and help you explore your ideal birth experience; someone who can be there to give you information and answer your questions. They will not force their ideals on you, but empower you to be confident in your choices. A doula can help you find the answers that you are looking for and get you the resources you need. The best part is that they can be with you continuously throughout labor.
Michelle: Can a doula help you carry out your birthing plan?
Debi: Yes they can. A doula will not speak for you, but a doula will empower you to speak for yourselves. Sometimes we are intimidated by doctors and we think that they are all knowing and they have all the answers and there are reasons behind what they tell us but sometimes that is due to the nature of their business. But, that is not always the best option for you. It is best for you to have all the information so you can make decisions and consider what the best option for you is.
Michelle: As a doula, would you say that it is beneficial to eat during labor?
Debi: I do. The idea that you can’t eat during labor is an outdated protocol that hospitals have held onto. It is based on the idea that if you were facing an emergency and needed to go under anesthesia that you might aspirate if you vomited which is a rare occurrence today. I tell my moms that eating in labor does not mean you are eating a whole meal, but maybe just a bite of an orange, or something to help sustain energy. It may help to even out your blood sugar and it helps the baby as well, not to possibly have low blood sugar when born. Which they may want to test once your baby is born if for example, you have a long labor or your baby is big. You get tired during labor and you definitely need to sustain yourself.
Michelle: What does the cost of a doula include?
The cost of a doula will vary. Most of the doulas will include an initial interview, 2 prenatal visits, I will also offer to go with mom to the doctor if the family would like. I will labor with a mother at her home, and stay with them throughout labor, and stay a few hours postpartum which will include leaving for about an hour to give them bonding time. It also includes two postpartum follow up visits, one right after the birth and the second about a week or two after the birth. Then, I offer email, phone, and even texting support if they have any questions or need resources. I will also offer additional visits if they need additional support.
Michelle: You mentioned prenatal visits. Can you explain what prenatal visits are?
Debi: During prenatal visits I usually bring a checklist of things to discuss with the family. During the first visit we will get to know each other, make note of their preferences, discuss their concerns, and develop a birth plan and why that is important to them. We are trying to get comfortable with one another, and to let them know that I am available to answer their questions. During the second meeting we talk more specifically about what they would like the birthing environment to be like. Does she want music? Does she have snack preferences? And I will also address any other fears she has of being in labor. We also go over the plan for when labor begins, and when to contact me.
Michelle: When should they call you in their pregnancy and when should they call you in their labor?
Debi: Really anytime in the pregnancy. If I work with someone early in the pregnancy I can answer their questions and work with their general nutritional questions as well, nutrition is very important throughout pregnancy. I have also done private childbirth class or refresher courses for parents. Many people don’t decide they want a doula until the end of their pregnancy, which is fine. If this is the situation, I will try to squeeze in two prenatal visits and cover as much ground as possible within that time. As far as in labor, I encourage my moms to contact me after they have had doctor visits, and any changes in how they are feeling. Especially, if it is a first time mom that will not recognize when labor is around the corner. I also encourage my moms to call me as early as they like when they suspect that labor has begun. It doesn’t mean that I necessarily go running out the door, but I can rearrange anything I need to do so that I am completely available for them when the time is right. This is also a time for me to provide reassurance, encouragement and answer questions about what they are experiencing.
Michelle: What do you cover in postpartum visits?
Debi: We may cover what happened during pregnancy, labor, or birth and I can answer any questions that they have. I will also answer any questions that they have about recovery, about their baby, or adjusting to life once they are home. In general I am still providing various types of support, giving encouragement and helping to build confidence in the new role as parents.
Michelle: Can a doula be hired for a high risk pregnancy?
Debi: Absolutely! I think in a high risk pregnancy there is a great need for emotional support. Parents have to sort through all of the information that is being thrown at them. They will want someone to give them general or physical support. A doula can also recommend alternative types of resources to help mom.
Michelle: How is a Doula certified and is continuing education required?
Debi: There are different certifying institutions/agencies. Most certifying agencies require continuing education. I do think that many doulas do continuing education and take advantage of different learning opportunities whether they are required to or not.
Michelle: How can a doula help the partner/the father?
Debi: The partner/father may feel like it is not necessary to hire a doula, if they are going to be there to provide support. As a doula you are there to support both parents. There have been a lot of changes ever since partners/fathers are coming into the delivery room, unlike in the past. I do not think that they should have that pressure to be mom’s labor coach. They should be there to support mom and give her love. I think that when you support both parents and take the pressure off of the father or the partner, they feel relieved that all they have to do is hold her hand and tell her they love her. The partner/father does not need to remember everything that was learned in childbirth class. All you have to do is be there.
Michelle: How did you give birth to the children that you have?
Debi: I have three children and all three were born in a birth center with a midwife. I was adamant on not doing any drugs or going to a hospital. I think that I basically used tools like visualization, relaxation, and breathing to approach my birth. I also trusted the process of birth and what my body was designed to do. I didn’t even know when my labor started for my first child. I was working on puzzles when my labor with my second child began.
Michelle: Is there anything that you would do differently now that you have all this knowledge as a doula?
Debi: I would have breast fed my first child longer and I would have had all my kids at home. I stopped breastfeeding the first time very early at about 1 month or so because I lacked support and information. I wish I would have breastfed my first daughter for a year to two years, like my other 2 children.
Michelle: Why did you decide on going to a birth center compared to having your kids at home?
Debi: I was raised that whenever people were coming over the house had to be spotless, so I worried about having the house clean when I was going into labor. I feel so silly about that now.
Michelle: So what sparked your interest to work in childbirth and postpartum like you do now?
Debi: Well, I loved being pregnant. Every moment was something completely new and unique. After having my kids and supporting my friends when they were pregnant, and through labor and birth, I knew that I had to learn more about supporting other woman. The more I learned, the more I wanted to learn. I also felt that support was so needed. I am very passionate about what I do, and wouldn’t choose to do anything else.
Michelle: What advice do you have for moms that are wondering how and when to start weaning?
Debi: There is something called baby led weaning. As they develop in different areas they may start to separate themselves from mom. They will then transition to eating more solid foods that should be provided to them. Still every mom and baby are unique and will do what is best for them.
Michelle: What do you think when you hear “I am petite and my baby was too big to deliver vaginally”?
Debi: I think everything should be taken on a case by case basis. I don’t think that anything is impossible. Some doctors will tell you that your baby is too big for you to deliver. I have seen many small women deliver big babies.
Michelle: What is the longest you have seen a mom go overdue?
Debi: Between 42 and 43 weeks. The baby was not ready. I think sometimes you can do more harm if you try to make something happen that is not ready. I think something like 40% of C-sections are failed inductions.
Michelle: Why choose Debbie Benton?
Debi: My goal is to always exceed expectations and really hope that I bring something without overdoing anything. To be the best support I can in helping in creating the best outcome possible. I feel that I have a certain level of intuition; I know when to do and not do something, and I truly care about my clients. I can be present to give guidance, encouragement, information without judgment. I have approximately 15years of experience and was initially trained as a Midwife assistant and an advanced doula. I have continued my education and I am currently certified as a natural health consultant, a certified Dr. Sears wellness institute L.E.A.N. Expectations Coach (acronym for Lifestyle, Exercise, Attitude, Nutrition), certified as a doula specializing in acupressure for pregnancy care and labor support, and a Level 1 Reiki practitioner. I am currently in the process of completing my certification as an ICEA childbirth educator and pursuing my degree in nutrition.
Michelle: What do you say to people that are scared of doing a home birth because they are not close to a medical facility?
Debi: It begins with pregnancy. You have to take care of yourself. Midwives make sure that you are a low risk client so that they know what to expect. If something changes during labor, there is usually more than ample time to get mom to the hospital. Yet, a home birth might not be the right choice for every woman. It is important that woman understand they have the choice.
To hire Debbie Benton as your personal Doula, please contact us at EmbracingBabies.com
