By Stephanie Hasbrouck

Meredith Harmon of Chelsea didn’t want to go through the birthing experience alone.
Pregnant with her first child and living far from her family, Harmon was afraid her husband, a member of the U.S. Army Reserves, might be deployed before she delivered. So she enlisted the help of Beth Blevins, a certified doula.
A doula (Greek for ‘woman’s servant’) is a professionally trained companion who provides no medical services but offers labor support and oftentimes, postpartum care, such as breastfeeding advice and support, for the new family.
Leading up to her due date, Harmon said her husband became somewhat wary of a stranger having a major role in such an intimate occasion.

“He was afraid the doula would take over his position in the birth. But after we talked to Beth, she helped us understand she would be a helper to him [and that he was] the primary labor coach,” Harmon says. The new dad had not been deployed, so he was present for the birth of their daughter Jan. 28, 2004.
Harmon went into labor at 4:20 a.m., and she called Blevins at about 5 a.m. “I had Emily at 10:55 a.m.,” she says. “Being informed made it easier to deal with the pain.”
Harmon said she wanted to experience natural childbirth, and Blevins helped her to make an informed birth plan.
“ Each doula is different in their training and the services that they provide,” Blevins says. “I work with clients who want to go natural and those wanting pain medications. I work with my clients to make a birth plan or list of preferences. We learn ways to relax. We meet twice and talk by phone numerous times. I answer questions and listen to their concerns. I help the couple prepare for birth.”

“When the mother goes into labor, she calls, and I will meet her and stay throughout the entire labor and birth,” Blevins explains. “I encourage her, suggest positions, explain procedures, do massage, get cool rags, walk with her and lots more. I stay after the birth to make sure mom is doing well and help with breastfeeding. And I visit the next day to discuss the birth and help with another feeding.” In addition, Blevins provides at-home breastfeeding support and teaches private childbirth classes.
After their daughter was born, Harmon said she and her husband both were thankful they had hired a doula.
“It was good that my husband had support, and they tag-teamed so well together,” Harmon says.
She adds she would recommend doula services to all expecting parents. When asked if she plans on using a doula again, Harmon says, “I guarantee it.”
In addition to helping her deal with the pain of natural childbirth, Harmon says Blevins also helped her learn to breastfeed successfully.
Dr. Alison Heaton, an OB/GYN with Henderson & Walton Women’s Center, says she has been involved with several births where doulas were present.
“From what I have seen, their primary role is support for the couple. They primarily are there for the woman, but also are a calming influence for the man,” she says.
Heaton said doulas can be especially beneficial if a couple is extremely nervous about labor and delivery.
“If they are apprehensive about the whole situation, anything they can do to make the experience a little easier is certainly an advantage,” she says.
Heaton recommends that couples do a background check on doulas before they hire one. Also, she says, “Meet with the doula beforehand and make sure their idea of labor is the same as your idea. Have a list of questions for them.”
It is important to find a doula that is trained, has good references and has a good relationship with local healthcare providers.
“There is no governing body to regulate doulas yet, so training and certification are not required. There are several organizations that provide training and certifications,” says Blevins, who is a member of CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professionals Association and DONA (Doulas of North America). “I feel that it is extremely important that doulas are certified, licensed and insured. This way you are pretty sure that they are educated and will behave in a professional manner. They also are held accountable by the certifying organization,” she says.
Doula fees range from about $200 to about $1,000, depending on where the couple lives.
For more information about Blevins, visit her Web site, http://bhamdoula.tripod.com.

STEPHANIE HASBROUCK IS A BIRMINGHAM FREELANCE WRITER AND MOTHER.

Questions To Ask a Potential Doula, According to Babycenter.com:

The first question to ask a potential doula is whether she's available around your due date. Other questions you may want to ask include:
• What is your fee? (This will range from about $200 to about $1,000, depending on where you live.)
• What does your fee cover? How many visits/hours? Do you offer childbirth classes as well?
• Are you familiar with my doctor/hospital/midwife? Have you had a good experience if you've worked at my hospital or with my practitioner?
• Do you have a back-up arrangement with another doula or group of doulas?
• What are your beliefs about the birth process? (For instance, if you know an unmedicated birth is not your goal, you wouldn't want to choose a doula that was adamantly against using medications during labor. Or if you definitely do not want an epidural, then you shouldn't choose a doula who believes all women should have them.)
• Do you have children of your own? How were your own birth experiences?
• Why are you a doula?
• How many births have you attended?
• Are you certified? (Doulas have been around for centuries, but certification has only been available for a few years, so most doulas are not certified.)
• Do you have anyone else due near the time I'm due? (Most doulas limit the number of clients they accept to two to four per month.)
If you meet someone who has all the qualifications you seek, ask yourself: "Do I feel comfortable with this person?" and "Do I want her with me at my birth?" It's important to be able to imagine her there with you and to feel good about her working with you through the birthing process.