Frequently Asked Questions - The Choice in Baton Rouge for Childbirth Services

Baton Rouge's Choice For The Most Experienced In Childbirth Education And Doula Services

Many women and their partners have questions, even before scheduling a consultation appointment, and on this page you'll find answers to these questions:

What is a doula?
A doula is a professional who attends the birthing family from early labor until the baby is born. She offers specialized emotional and physical care to the mother during labor and birth. She helps the partner/family with information, comfort measures for mom, and instills confidence in the partner, giving him/her freedom to be as involved as he/she wishes.

A doula can offer on-site education during labor, helping clients to understand what is happening, options about their care, and encouraging clients to participate in their medical care decisions. She stays with the couple throughout the entire labor experience offering continuity of care, easing the transition into the hospital environment and through nursing shift changes.

A doula does not impose her personal beliefs on her clients or make decisions on their behalf. She does not provide medical or clinical skills.

"The doula is very informative and helps you to understand
what is going to happen, what to expect from the staff, and the
choices you have in labor."

How do I find the right doula for me?
Working with a doula is an important personal decision. You should learn more about doulas, then schedule a consultation appointment or conduct a phone/email interview. There is no charge for a consultation appointment with Birth Help doulas.

Using the interview questions adapted from those provided by Doulas of North America, you may want to ask the following questions. The answers for Birth Help's doula service follow each question.

WHAT TRAINING AND EDUCATION DO YOU HAVE? ARE YOU CERTIFIED?

NOTE: Some doulas may say they are "DONA Trained", which does not mean they are certified or experienced. Generally, it means only that they have attended a weekend doula skills workshop. Be sure to ask specific questions about any doula's background and experience, and seek verification of that information.

RENE'S response:
I graduated from LSU with a degree in education, trained as a childbirth educator with a local non-profit organization and have been a Certified Childbirth Educator through ICEA (International Childbirth Education Association) for over 20 years.

I am a self-trained doula since I began serving women during childbirth before any training programs existed. I am certified through Doulas of North America.

KAREN'S response:
I completed Birth Help's apprentice learning program, attending 25 births in several different cities before serving as primary doula. My apprenticeship also included reading assignments, birth observations, hands-on experience, completing a DONA Approved Doula Workshop and serving as a doula at a variety of births while being trained and evaluated by an experienced, certified doula. I am certified through Doulas of North America and am earning a degree in business administration.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH BIRTH, BOTH PERSONALLY AND AS A DOULA.

RENE'S response:
I gave birth to both of my children without medication, but it was the birth of my son that sparked my desire to help other women. My obstetrician informed me late in my pregnancy that I would need a cesarean due to a disproportion between my baby's size and my pelvic structure, but with education, support, and determination, I avoided a cesarean. Three years later I again experienced natural childbirth when I gave birth to a 9 1/2 pound baby, more than 1 1/2 pounds bigger than my first child.

As a doula, I have served over 370 families as their doula, in 15 different hospitals and 2 birth centers, working with more than 50 doctors and midwives.

KAREN'S response:
I have four children, all different birth experiences. My longest labor was 30 hours and the shortest labor was 10 hours. I've had 3 medicated births, and my last birth was natural, with Rene's help as my doula.

As a doula, I've attended over 70 births including medicated and natural births, inductions, hi-risk pregnancies, and VBACs. My experience includes working with more than 15 different obstetricians in several cities and hospitals in and around Baton Rouge.

WHAT IS YOUR PHILOSOPHY ABOUT SUPPORTING WOMEN AND PARTNERS?

RENE'S response:
I deeply believe in the normalcy of birth, having participated in a large number of births where women were allowed to labor and birth without routine use of interventions. Childbirth can be an intense, intimate, and empowering experience for both women and their partners, and it is always an honor to offer my experience and support to enhance that process.

I believe that women can most easily fulfill their goal of natural childbirth through education and emotional and physical support offered by experienced, professional doulas alongside loving family members. Partners should have the opportunity to participate to their comfort level, supported and guided by their love for mom and a skilled doula.

KAREN'S response:
From my personal experience and births I've attended, I believe women need to be supported to seek what is needed for each birth. Sometimes that is birthing with only their partner, or attendance of friends and family, or with the assistance of a doula. I believe that women seeking natural childbirth succeed most often when they possess personal determination, learn about childbirth from reading and attending classes, and enlist the help of a doula. Then women are able to make choices that are important to them.

WILL YOU MEET WITH US TO DISCUSS OUR BIRTH PLAN AND THE ROLE YOU WILL PLAY IN SUPPORTING US THROUGH CHILDBIRTH?

Families considering working with a Birth Help doula can schedule a consultation visit at no charge. Doula visits are part of Birth Help's doula service, and doulas meet with clients prenatally to discuss birth plans and preferences, doula's and clients' roles, expectations, concerns and choice of comfort measures. Doulas maintain contact with clients by phone/email until mom is in labor and needs her doula's presence.

WHEN DO YOU JOIN WOMEN IN LABOR?

Birth Help doulas maintain contact with clients beginning in early labor. They are in phone contact or available in person, listening to mom and partner sharing about labor, asking questions, providing suggestions for comfort measures, and information about the labor process.

Clients request their doula's presence when they are ready for more help. Usually, doulas meet clients when they are admitted to the hospital, but may be with clients during labor at home.

WILL YOU MEET WITH US AFTER THE BIRTH TO REVIEW THE LABOR AND ANSWER QUESTIONS?

Birth Help doulas meet with clients after the baby is born, either in the hospital or at home after the birth. They also will provide a copy of any notes taken during the labor.

DO YOU WORK WITH ONE OR MORE BACKUP DOULAS? MAY WE MEET THEM?

Birth Help doulas include René Johnson, Karen Cuellar, and Sue Kenyon. Each client has a primary and backup doula for their birth. Both doulas attend the prenatal visit to better serve their clients.

WHAT IS YOUR FEE? IS ANY PART OF YOUR FEE REFUNDABLE IF YOU DO NOT ATTEND THE BIRTH?

Details about doula services and fee information is available on the Services page. Birth Help offers a "fair refund" policy.

WILL YOU PROVIDE REFERENCES?

You can read what Birth Help clients have to say about doula services, and most also offer their email contact for references or questions about working with a doula. Other references can also be provided, as our clients are happy to share their experience with Birth Help doulas.

Print Questions to Interview Doulas

What are some of the benefits of a doula's assistance?
Doulas of North America International's (DONA's) website states:

Numerous clinical studies have found that a doula's presence at birth:

tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications
reduces negative feelings about one's childbirth experience
reduces the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction and cesareans
reduces the mother's request for pain medication and/or epidurals

Research shows parents who receive support can:

feel more secure and cared for
are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics
have greater success with breastfeeding
have greater self-confidence
have less postpartum depression
have lower incidence of abuse

Women who have a doula's help feel a greater satisfaction with the birth experience and a positive perception of their strength and ability to face challenging circumstances.

Read About Information and Research: How "Birth Doulas Make A Difference"

Who uses a doula?
A doula is a valuable asset to any laboring woman and her partner. Many Birth Help clients desire an unmedicated birth with a minimum use of technology/procedures. Others simply want an experienced caregiver's continuous presence during this unfamiliar experience. A doula can encourage the father/partner in a supportive role during labor or offer primary support when he/she is unavailable or wishes to limit his/her participation.

"My birth experience was almost exactly as I had envisioned it.
Without a doula, I don't think it would have been. She reminded me
that I was in charge and everyone was there to support and help me
to accomplish my goals."

Why do I need a doula?
A doula complements the care you receive from your nurses and obstetrician during labor.

Since a Birth Help doula is employed by the clients, her primary objective is to serve her clients' needs. She is not restricted by hospital policy or schedules.

In addition, recent studies show the presence of a doula decreases cesarean sections, medication use, and medical complications during labor and postpartum.

Birth Help's statistics reflect a 15% cesarean rate and, among women desiring natural childbirth, 80% achieve their goal. Women seeking a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) are able to achieve a vaginal birth 95% of the time.

"Having a doula present throughout the entire labor and birth gave us
the security we needed to get through the times when the nurses or doctors weren't able to be there to guide and support us."

Will you pressure me into or out of interventions like an epidural?
A doula's role is to help her clients work toward their goals. Doulas do not impose their personal beliefs on their clients or make decisions on their behalf. A doula is there to help you have the kind of birth *you* want.

"Our doula's help exceeded my expectations and
fully supported my personal birth plans."

Will a doula take over the partner's role?
A Birth Help doula supports and encourages the partner and enhances his/her supportive style rather than replace him/her. Even well prepared partners are surprised by the amount of work involved and find themselves overwhelmed by the forces of labor, long hours, and the hospital environment.

Many partners have reported that the presence of a doula gave them additional confidence to be more involved than they might otherwise have been. A doula makes suggestions and assists him/her in areas where he/she wishes to take an additional role. She can free him/her from unwanted tasks and provide support during the times when he/she needs to leave the room.

"Our doula allowed me to provide emotional support for my wife
without having to worry about the technical details."

What kind of techniques does a doula use?
Doulas offer many choices to help you during labor and birth. She will talk with you at the home visit about the kind of childbirth classes you have taken and your normal preferences for comfort. She might also use massage, counterpressure, suggestions for position changes in and out of the bed, water therapy (laboring in the tub or shower), and visualization and breathing techniques.

"Our doula really got to know us before the birth and always had a new suggestion to help me cope with the contractions. No matter what happened during the labor, she was right there to help and show my husband how he could make me feel better."

What if I don't think I can afford a doula?
Birth Help is committed to serving all women who want a doula's help. Call (225.768.7686) or email and tell René you want a doula's help at your birth, but need to make alternate payment plans (paying over a longer period of time, perhaps before and after the baby is born) or are in need of a discount. She will gladly work with you toward a workable agreement for services.

"My boyfriend and I were so grateful that René worked with us for a reduced fee and could pay over a longer period of time. It meant we could (and did) have the kind of birth we wanted, and it was a special experience to share with someone who cares so much."

It's difficult to find support for my birth goals. What can I do?

Birth Help offers an online support group as well as monthly group meetings supporting natural childbirth.

Exceptional Birthing Support Group

Across all cultures and time women have looked to other women for information, encouragement, and support during pregnancy and birth.

Exceptional Birthing, co-sponsored by Red Shoes and facilitated by Birth Help doulas, offers a place where today’s women share and explore concepts, philosophies, and techniques supporting natural childbirth. We’ll discuss physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of birthing along with resources for achieving your birth goals.

Women who have had or attempted natural childbirth, as well as pregnant women interested in childbirth and nursing babies are welcome.

Group meets on the 2nd Monday of each month at Red Shoes on Government Street from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. There is no fee, but please register through Red Shoes by calling 338.1120 or emailing redshoes@bellsouth.net.

Meetings will be held on the 2nd Monday of each month:
August 11, September 8, October 13, November 10, and December 8.

Birth Help's lanaturalmoms Email Group

You can join the lanaturalmoms email group, sponsored by Birth Help. You'll find women interested in natural childbirth, sharing ideas and supporting one another, or you can ask questions for René to answer or for other moms' input.

To be a part of the group, go to Birth Help's home page, enter your email address and join us for discussions about achieving the kind of birth you desire.

What books are recommended to prepare for my birth?
The following books are especially recommended for those interested in natural childbirth:

The Birth Partner; Everything You Need to Know to Help a Woman Through Childbirth Penny Simkin,PT ISBN 1-55832-195-0
Birthing From Within by Pam England and Rob Horowitz ISBN 0-9659873-0-2
The Doula Book by Marshall H. Klaus, M.D., John H. Kennell, M.D., and Phyllis H. Klaus, C.S.W. ISBN 0-7382-0609-1
Active Birth: The New Approach to Giving Birth Naturally by Janet Balaskas ISBN 1-55832-038-5
The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer ISBN 0-399-52517-3
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin ISBN 0-553-38115-6

MOST BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE ON THE LABOR & BIRTH PRODUCTS PAGE.