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A
Doctor Reflects on Having a Doula
By
Rebecca Lyman, MD
I met
Chris Clark shortly before I became pregnant with my first
child. I was inspired by her efforts to transform our community
into a place where women could breast feed comfortably for
as long as they wanted and have a supportive and fulfilling
birth experience. All this in hopes that we could have mothers
and fathers who would in turn be more nurturing to their
children.
Early
in my pregnancy I decided that I would like to have a doula.
My husband wasn't sure why I thought it was necessary. I
explained that it would be as much for him as for me. I
am a physician and deliver babies myself. Still, I didn't
know for myself what to expect for pain, or how I would
respond to it. A doula could help my husband help me with
pain and reassure him that things were progressing smoothly.
I doubted
I would have the ability to remain objective during my own
labor. So when the big day arrived, I was glad our doula
Chris was there. Her presence empowered me to trust my body
and find relief from pain. I was thankful that Chris could
guide my husband to help him help me manage my pain. How
immensely valuable this was! In fact, I felt very connected
to my husband in a way I never had before.
We called
Chris again for the birth of our second daughter. We took
her Trusting Birth class, which we both found very helpful.
My husband even had me practicing breathing techniques in
the weeks before our birth. During the second birth I felt
even more connection with my husband. I believe both my
husband and I are better parents because of our birth experience.
Now we have to convince the insurance companies that a doula
should be a part of every birth.
Reflections
on Breastfeeding
I knew
I would choose to breastfeed even before I became pregnant.
My mother had breastfed me for fifteen months. I remember
her telling the story of how she had wanted to nurse me,
and though the nurses in the hospital did everything they
could to discourage her, including feeding me glucose water
before they gave me over to nurse, my mother persisted.
As a
physician, I knew all the advantages of human milk so the
decision to breastfeed was an easy one. My husband, who
didn't know the first thing about babies let alone what
to feed them, was supportive. He was, however, a bit skeptical
of nursing beyond the first year. He had heard conversations
between some friends and myself who spoke of nursing children
at two, three, and even into later years. I really didn't
know how I felt about it and didn't have a plan in mind
when I had my first born Leah.
However,
from the moment Leah was born, I felt empowered by the experience.
I was a mother who could give my child the best nutrition
in the world for her. How could I give her less? When the
end of that first year came my husband told me I couldn't
quit now, I would break Leah's heart. He was a convert!
During
that first year I went to Chris's Breastfeeding Support
group regularly. I enjoyed spending time with mothers of
like-mind. They too were trying to give their babies the
best they had to offer. We live in a society that understands
breastfeeding is best, yet subtly undermines it. There is
an illusion that bottle-feeding is more convenient and strangely,
less immodest. These are things women have to overcome to
comfortably nurse in our backward society. They are brave
pioneers slowly making it easier for women in the future.
Now I have a second child and won't give her anything less.
