What is a doula birth like? The whole process of a doula birth

Childbirth is a difficult process. With the advancement of medical technology, more and more new childbirth methods can help mothers reduce pain, which gives them some psychological comfort. So what about doula childbirth? What is the whole process of doula childbirth like?

The details of doula delivery

Doula plays a very important role in relieving the pain and psychological pressure of mothers during childbirth. It provides comprehensive guidance for mothers during childbirth, including dietary guidance, childbirth guidance, etc. So what does doula childbirth include? Let's take a look at it below.

1. Pregnancy care

From the moment the mother is admitted to the hospital for childbirth, the doula will provide one-on-one, full-process, all-round care to the mother, introduce the physiological characteristics of childbirth to the mother, eliminate her fear, observe the mother's various conditions at any time, and inform the doctor in time. At the same time, she must also explain various issues to the mother's family.

2. Full guidance

Because the mother does not understand the labor process, she will be more afraid and nervous, which will cause her to prolong the labor pain. A doula can explain and guide the steps of the labor process to the mother throughout the labor process, and help guide the mother and her family to participate in the delivery process, so that they can look forward to the birth of the baby in an orderly manner, stabilize the mother's emotions, and thus reduce the labor pain time.

3. Monitor fetal heart rate and uterine contractions

Central monitoring type continuous fetal heart monitoring is implemented for every pregnant woman entering the delivery room to dynamically monitor the changes in fetal heart rate and uterine contractions and reduce the impact of false positives in fetal heart monitoring on clinical judgment.

4. Anal examination

After entering the active phase, perform an anal examination every hour to understand the dilation of the cervix and the descent of the presenting part, draw a labor chart in time, and handle the labor process strictly according to the time limit.

5. Observe membrane rupture

Once the membranes rupture, the fetal heart rate should be listened to immediately and the nature, color and flow of the amniotic fluid should be observed. If the fetal head is not connected, the patient should stay in bed and rest. If necessary, the foot of the bed should be raised to prevent umbilical cord prolapse. If the amniotic fluid is turbid, report it to the doctor in time. After the membranes rupture, an anal examination should be performed immediately to understand the descent of the presenting part and the dilation of the cervix, and the fetal heart rate should be closely observed.

6. Observe vital signs

Measure pulse, respiration, and blood pressure every 1 to 2 hours.

7. Guide urination

Instruct the mother to urinate once every 1 to 2 hours to avoid an overfilled bladder that may interfere with uterine contraction and fetal head descent.

8. Instruct in relaxation techniques

Create a relatively relaxing environment, play relaxing and soothing music, such as Klaus' piano music, Chinese folk music, etc., and play pictures of beautiful scenery or lively babies. Tell the mother that labor pains are normal and not to be afraid. Instruct the mother to listen to music and watch TV during contractions, and not to think about how long the pain has lasted. At the same time, breathe with your mouth open and take deep abdominal breaths. The midwife can massage the mother's lumbar sacral area or gently stroke from the two ribs to the center of the abdomen with both fingers to relieve labor pain.

9. Choose labor analgesia

Based on the principle of personal willingness, you can choose to use Antoine gas analgesia or have an anesthesiologist perform spinal anesthesia analgesia. Both of these analgesia methods, especially the latter, have definite analgesic effects.

10. Dietary guidance

Instruct the mother to eat small, frequent meals of high-calorie, easy-to-digest, relatively light food, such as porridge and soup. She can also take functional drinks to restore her physical strength, such as Jianlibao. Provide enough energy to ensure that the mother has sufficient energy and physical strength during delivery. In addition, the mother should be encouraged to drink more water to replenish the water lost due to excessive sweating.

11. Guide mothers to use their labor force correctly

After the cervix is ​​fully dilated, encourage and guide the parturient to use the force holding method correctly to increase abdominal pressure in coordination with the contractions. When the contractions begin, take a breath first, and then hold your breath towards the perineum as if you are having a bowel movement as the contractions intensify, to increase abdominal pressure. At the same time, hold the bedside handles with both hands and push your feet down. Relax your hands and take a full rest during the interval between contractions, and use the same method again during the next contraction.

12. Daily care and basic care

When labor pains are severe, the mother often cannot eat on her own. The midwife should feed her food and water and encourage her to eat more. When the mother needs to go to the toilet, she should be supported and accompanied to increase her sense of security. The mother sweats a lot due to labor pains and excessive consumption. The midwife should wipe the sweat off her and change her wet clothes in time to prevent her from catching a cold.

13. Health and breastfeeding knowledge education

Educate on health knowledge, especially personal hygiene guidance after childbirth, such as avoiding sexual intercourse and bathing within 42 days after childbirth, washing hands before and after breastfeeding, changing underwear frequently, etc. Educate on the advantages of breast milk and guide correct breastfeeding techniques.

Doula method of childbirth

(1) In a heart-to-heart way. Have a friendly conversation with the mother to understand what she has learned about pregnancy and childbirth in the maternity school, and her mastery of the movements to relieve labor pain; explain that all the systems of the mother's body are ready for childbirth, so that the mother can be confident about childbirth.

(2) Take various measures to ensure that the labor process proceeds at a normal rhythm. Teach the mother how to distract her attention during contractions, how to use deep breathing, massage, compression, and second-stage labor breathing methods; perform acupoint massage and gently tap the mother's shoulders, hands, and feet to help her change and change her body position to make her the most comfortable; encourage her to eat and drink water to maintain adequate nutrition and energy; use the rhythmic sound of fetal heart monitoring to allow the mother to hear the strong fetal heartbeat, deepening her sense of happiness and responsibility as a mother.

(3) Closely observe the progress of labor, let the mother know the current progress of labor, and promptly detect abnormalities in labor. Doulas serve as a bridge between doctors and mothers, turning mothers from passive to active, improving their tolerance to labor pain, motivating and encouraging them, and forming a good psychological state.

(4) If necessary, administer sedatives or analgesics as appropriate.

Benefits of having a doula during childbirth

Doula delivery is an innovative, scientific, ideal and painless new delivery service model, which is also advocated by the World Health Organization. Doula delivery has the following benefits:

1. Reduce the cesarean section rate: Many women choose cesarean section due to fear of pain during delivery. If a doula is used during delivery, it can largely eliminate the fear of delivery for the mother, enhance the mother's confidence in natural delivery, and reduce the cesarean section rate.

2. Do a good job of prenatal prevention. During the delivery process, the doula will carefully observe the mother's condition. If the mother has any abnormalities during delivery, the doula will promptly inform the doctor in charge and provide midwifery assistance.

3. Childbirth guidance. The doula will introduce the birthing process to the mother and help her learn the main precautions and essentials of the birthing stage, such as breathing regulation.

4. Let the mother take the initiative. During the delivery process, explain to the mother and her family the role, purpose and necessity of any examination and treatment, so that the mother and her family can understand the fetal heart rate, uterine contraction and cervical dilation during the delivery process, so that they can actively cooperate with the midwife.

5. Reduce pain. When the mother is giving birth, the doula can use appropriate techniques to reduce the pain of the mother during labor, thereby reducing the pain of the mother during labor.

6. Provide guidance to the parturient’s family members. In addition to providing assistance to the parturient, the doula will also teach the family members how to help the parturient scientifically, let the family members understand their roles and functions, and enable the parturient to get more family support from the family members.

Disadvantages of doula birth

The disadvantage of doula delivery is the perfection of the system. At present, there are few institutions in China that can provide professional doula training, and doulas (i.e. "doulas") as a new type of profession in China have yet to be standardized and improved. In addition, the analgesic effect of doula delivery varies from person to person, and there are certain requirements for the psychological quality of the mother. Some mothers may not be able to follow the guidance of the doula and doula delivery does not work.