Danbury Hospital’s Doula Program Helps Reduce Labor Pain

DANBURY — More women today are thoughtfully planning what they want their birth experience to be, rather than just having a baby. They are assuring that the total experience is a good one — minimizing pain, reducing medication, and maximizing on joyous memories.

That is due, in large part, to the doula — or labor support program — offered by Danbury Hospital’s Family Birth Center. Doula is a Greek word that means a “woman who serves.” In labor support terminology, it means a specially trained birth companion who provides labor support.

This October, Danbury Hospital’s doula program is ten years old. One of the first hospitals in the area to embrace the program free of charge to patients, today Danbury Hospital provides doulas at a significantly reduced rate.

For $100, women in labor can assure that their birth experience is the best it can be, according to Sandy McGuire, coordinator of the doula program.

Doulas coach and support a woman, helping her walk, use the hot tub, breathe, do special exercises, and to take her mind off the pain and focus on the happiness.

Why does Danbury Hospital subsidize the program? In a nutshell, said Ms McGuire, because doulas make a difference. In the past ten years, more than 5,500 women have chosen to have one of Danbury Hospital’s 20 doulas help them through labor and delivery. Patient satisfaction reflects the effectiveness of the doula program.

Doulas have been growing in popularity since the late 1970s, when Drs John Kennell and Marshall Klauss published studies that said introducing doulas not only improved the bond between mother and baby, but also reduced birth complications. By attending to a woman’s emotional needs, obstetric outcomes can be improved, according to Doulas of North America (DONA), the organization that trains and certifies doulas.

DONA reports that in seven trials of more than 2,200 women in labor support, doulas were found to reduce cesarean rates, as well as use of medications. The Hodnett trial, according to DONA, found that women with doulas were:

é26 percent less likely to give birth by cesarean section

é41 percent less likely to give birth by vacuum extractor or forceps

é28 percent less likely to use any analgesia or anesthesia

é33 percent less likely to be dissatisfied with their birth experience

 “I do believe that having a doula can even reduce the length of labor, too,” said Ms McGuire. “Doulas help keep things moving.”

Elizabeth Callender of Lincolndale, N.Y., chose to have a doula for the birth of her son, Tucker, in March.

“My friend used a doula and said it was a great experience, and I thought it would be a nice addition to having my husband in the room,” said the 33-year-old first-time mom. She was assigned to Pia George of Bethel, a doula for two years.

Ms George changed careers two years ago to become a doula after seeing one work first-hand during the birth of her grandchild. “I love it,” said the former marketing specialist.

Her enthusiasm for the job was apparent to Ms Callender, who, unlike her birth plan, ended up having to deliver by cesarean. “Pia was nothing less than amazing,” said Ms Callender. “Unfortunately, my labor ended up being fairly long, with a lot of unexpected events happening, and ended in C-section. Pia was so supportive the whole time and made us both feel so at ease.”

How did the doula help? “She helped me enjoy being in the moment and try not to focus on the pain. We did many different things — the hot tub, the birthing ball, walking — she made it all so positive, it was almost relaxing.”

Given the circumstances, Ms Callender could have had a negative birth experience, according to Ms McGuire, but the doula made all the difference in the world. Today, Tucker is six months old and he and mom are doing very well. “Both my husband, Jason Wein, and I feel so lucky and blessed to have had such incredible support through the whole birth process.”

That is what the doula program is all about, according to Ms McGuire. “Our whole premise is helping you have a birth that you will be thrilled with.”

For more information on the doula program, visit www.danburyhospital.org.