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Birth Team Considerations
A Certified Doula Answers Questions on Choosing a Birth Team
By Kelly Camden, Certified Doula
Hospital midwives work with many clients who are in labor at the same time. Still, they are likely to spend more time with you during labor than a physician, and they have an entire staff to support them, including lactation consultants and nurses.
Both independent and hospital-based midwives are trained to screen for health concerns. They will consult with a physician and/or refer clients to a physician if there is cause for concern.
Midwives are trained to be the primary health care providers for women during pregnancy, birth and postpartum. They also provide well-woman care. Doulas are trained as labor support specialists. They are not medical care providers and do not offer testing or do physical examinations. Doulas work with one family at a time, in order to provide continuous physical and emotional support for laboring women.
Pam England, author of Birthing from Within, recommends that parents who are planning to birth with as few interventions as possible discuss their plan with the nursing staff upon arriving at the hospital. Parents can ask for a nurse who is supportive of natural birth and who will be excited about helping them to reach their goals.
Some partners want to be the only one with the mother continuously during labor. However, this may not be ideal for the mother. Try talking with or finding an article about birth partners who enjoyed having labor support. If you don't know any, ask a doula if she could refer you to other couples whom she has supported.
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