When most people think of a doula, they picture a calm, supportive presence in the delivery room, helping a mother bring her babee into the world under the best possible circumstances. All Naturale!!
But the reality is that most doulas often support clients that have high risk pregnancies and need hospital care.
I trust birth but I also do not trust birth.
High risk births have been a prevalent requirement of support in my doula experience. All births won’t be low risk, so just how important is a doula when physiological birth may not be in your birth plan?
Extremely important!!
The work of being a high-risk doula goes far beyond that. It involves guiding and supporting birthing persons who face more complicated and potentially dangerous pregnancies, labor, and postpartum periods. This work is not only challenging but also deeply rewarding.
I’ve been honored to support high risk clients experiencing:
Preeclampsia/Eclampsia
High BMI
Advanced Maternal Age
Fibroids
IVF
Gestational Diabetes
Multiples
Sickle Cell
Preterm Labor
Breech Births
Previous Cesarean
History of Birth After Stillbirth/Miscarriage
History of IUGR/Low Birth Weight
Hyperthyroidism
Pregnancy Postpartum Infancy Loss
Understanding High-Risk Pregnancies
A pregnancy is considered high-risk when there are potential complications that could affect the health of the mother, the babee, or both. This could be due to pre-existing medical conditions, pregnancy-related issues like gestational diabetes or preeclampsia, or other factors such as advanced maternal age, multiple pregnancies, or a history of complications in previous pregnancies.
High-risk pregnancies require more frequent monitoring, specialized care, and, often, a multidisciplinary team approach to manage the potential challenges. This is where the role of a high-risk doula becomes critical.
The Role of a High-Risk Doula
A high-risk doula provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to women who are navigating the complexities of a high-risk pregnancy. The work often begins long before labor starts and extends well into the postpartum period.
1. Emotional Support
Women with high-risk pregnancies often experience heightened anxiety, fear, and uncertainty. As a doula, one of the most important roles is to provide a steady, reassuring presence. You help the mother process her feelings, listen to her concerns, and provide compassionate support. Your role is to be a constant source of comfort and understanding, helping to alleviate some of the emotional burdens these women carry.
2. Advocacy and Education
In a high-risk pregnancy, women are often faced with complex medical decisions. A high-risk doula helps ensure that the mother fully understands her options, the potential risks, and the benefits of each choice. You act as an advocate for her wishes, ensuring that her voice is heard by the medical team. This advocacy is especially important in situations where the mother might feel overwhelmed or intimidated by medical professionals.
3. Physical Support
During labor, a high-risk doula provides the same physical support as any other doula, but with additional attention to the specific needs and limitations of a high-risk situation. This might involve helping the mother manage pain in ways that are safe for her condition, assisting with mobility if she has physical limitations, and ensuring she is as comfortable as possible within the parameters set by her medical team.
4. Postpartum Care
The support of a high-risk doula doesn’t end with the birth of the babee. The postpartum period can be particularly challenging for women with high-risk pregnancies, who may face ongoing health issues or complications. A doula provides essential postpartum support, helping the mother recover physically and emotionally, assisting with breastfeeding, and offering guidance as she navigates the challenges of caring for her newborn.
The Challenges of Being a High-Risk Doula
This work is not for the weary. Working as a high-risk doula comes with its own set of challenges. The emotional intensity of the work can be draining, and it requires a deep well of patience, resilience, and empathy. Many high risk clients are often induced which can take days for labor and birth to progress. You must be prepared to handle difficult situations, such as the possibility of preterm labor, emergency cesarean sections, or even the loss of a pregnancy. Personally, I have experienced two neonatal losses and it was a grieving process for myself too. It can be an emotional challenge for a doula as well when you’ve supported families from early pregnancy.
In addition, high-risk doulas often need to have a more extensive understanding of medical issues and the healthcare system. You might find yourself coordinating with a team of doctors, nurses, and specialists, and it’s essential to communicate effectively with all of them while keeping the mother’s best interests at heart.
The Rewards of High-Risk Doula Work
Despite the challenges, being a high-risk doula is incredibly rewarding. You have the privilege of supporting exoectant parents through one of the most vulnerable and transformative times in their lives. The bond you form with your clients is often deep and lasting, and the impact of your work can be profound.
As a high-risk doula, I find that this work is not just a job but a calling. I’ve supported close to 70 births and 90% of them are high risk. I’ve often wondered why me? Why not me? I have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of women and their families, particularly in such challenging circumstances. Being a high risk doula can be a source of great personal and professional fulfillment.
Being a high-risk doula requires a unique combination of skills, compassion, and resilience. It is a role that demands much but also offers immense rewards. For those who choose this path, the experience of supporting women through the complexities of high-risk pregnancies is a deeply enriching journey, filled with moments of profound connection, triumph, and, above all, love.
Are you interested in becoming a doula in your community?? We have virtual and in person Doula trainings to jumpstart your career in Maternal Health.
If you are high risk and considering doula care, take a peek at our services here honey!!
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