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Home > Pregnancy & Birth > Epi-Doulas

"Epi"doulas: A popular birthing option
by Patricia Newton

Many birthing women opt for the epidural, even after learning of the potential side effects, such as severe back pain, that sometimes last for years. However, many of these women are also learning of the dramatically positive effects of doula services, and choose to rely on both epidurals and doulas to help them through labor. And so, the "epidoula" birthing option has emerged.

Doulas help your baby. Your comfort during labor may be what you and your support person are primarily concerned with. "How much pain am I going to feel, and will I be able to deal with it?" is a common question for most pregnant women. The fact that during labor, your baby tries to navigate through a difficult journey is oftentimes forgotten, or at least becomes a distant thought.

Once you receive an epidural, you will no longer be able to help your baby find his way through labor by changing your pelvic position and by allowing gravity to work for both of you. However, with a doula in attendance, you may still receive some of the benefits of position changes. The professionally trained doula knows how to safely move you into positions while you are bedridden so your baby can still be encouraged to travel through labor. Thus, you will have a lessened chance of your labor resulting in a cesarean. The typical family member or friend is not capable of assisting you and your baby in this way.

Doulas help you and your partner. You might disregard the need for emotional support, especially if you‘re a first time Mom. But ask the Mom whose baby’s heart rate plummeted during labor just how helpful calm and professional emotional support can be.

It’s a horrible experience to fear for your baby's life while lots of doctors and nurses are suddenly running in and out of your laboring room. This is a very real side effect of an epidural, along with the chance of your blood pressure dropping to a dangerous level. In these situations, the doula is the only professional who will be focusing solely on the emotional needs of you and your other support people. And should you find yourself in such a situation, you will be thankful a doula is at your side.

Despite what you may think, getting an epidural does not mean you are home free. It doesn’t mean you can simply lie in bed and look pretty throughout labor, then give a couple of easy pushes when it’s time and out pops a perfectly healthy baby, completely unharmed during the difficult journey he or she just completed.

The reality is that although an epidural may take away the pain you feel, it also sets your labor up for difficulties further along. It can slow your labor down, it can cause your blood pressure to drop, it can affect your baby’s heart rate, it will force to you remain in bed and reduce your ability to help your baby travel through the birth canal, and it can make it much more difficult for you to push your baby out. All of these things can easily lead to an emergency c-section.

The people you choose to support you during labor, along with how well they are able to really help you and your baby can be the deciding factor of whether your labor ends with a cesarean birth or not. If you believe you cannot labor without the help of an epidural, an experienced doula will be an invaluable addition to your birth team, for the sake of both you and your baby.

© Patricia Newton
Patricia Newton is a leading childbirth educator, lactation educator and doula. She may be contacted through her website, www.proudpregnancies.com or by calling 856-455-8636.