| Times have changed and now you can choose the | | | | as much time as necessary answering questions, |
| childbirth method best for you. Although women | | | | listening to their clients concerns and fears, and |
| have been giving birth since time began, today they | | | | explaining every aspect of pregnancy and delivery. |
| have options that were not available 100 years ago. | | | | Doulas usually meet with the expectant mothers |
| Once, giving birth was a dangerous event that | | | | once during each stage of pregnancy, are present |
| women feared, and many women and babies never | | | | during labor and delivery, and then visit the new |
| survived the event. | | | | mothers after the babies are born. |
| Back then people did not recognize that washing their | | | | Midwives are now certified. These women provide |
| hands would prevent infection, and doctors would | | | | support for the expectant mother throughout her |
| use instruments that had not been sterilized. The lack | | | | pregnancy, labor and delivery. Some will also provide |
| of sanitary conditions caused many women to | | | | post partum care. Midwives and nurse midwives |
| develop infections and even die. | | | | provide the more personal touch and a less clinical |
| Thankfully, sterile environments, proper sterilization | | | | relationship than an obstetrician has time for. |
| techniques and advances in antibiotics have reduced | | | | Fifty years ago many women who delivered babies in |
| the chances of developing an infection to almost | | | | hospitals were given medications that placed them |
| zero. Additionally, there have been surgical advances | | | | into “twilight sleep.” While it was painless, it |
| that can prevent many other types of complications. | | | | also caused respiratory problems for the newborn. |
| Most importantly, in the last 30 years there have | | | | To avoid these complications, advances in pain |
| been many changes in how a woman approaches | | | | management protect the mother from pain and yet |
| pregnancy and delivery. These changes now | | | | are safe for the baby. |
| empower a woman so she can choose the method | | | | Epidurals are one way to lessen the pain without |
| of childbirth that will provide the safest and most | | | | drugging the newborn or the mother. Using a thin |
| personally satisfying experience possible. | | | | flexible needle, medications to block the pain nerves |
| The number of patients an obstetrician has to see in | | | | are injected into the mother’s spine allowing her |
| a day at the office does not permit them to spend | | | | to retain the use of her body without suffering the |
| unlimited time with one patient. Today, doulas, | | | | pain associated with childbirth. |
| nurse midwives and midwives are available for | | | | Hypnosis, meditation and other non-traditional |
| women who wish to have a closer relationship with | | | | methods of pain control are also available for |
| their caregiver and a more personal involvement in | | | | expectant mothers that were unheard of years ago. |
| the entire process. | | | | Acupuncture is being employed in some hospitals; the |
| A doula is someone who is trained specifically in | | | | insertion of tiny thin needles blocks the sensation of |
| pregnancy and childbirth, not to replace the | | | | pain during childbirth. |
| obstetrician but complement them. A doula will spend | | | | |