PowerPoint Presentation

The role of a Birth Doula as a support person is built on communication.

abstract. PHYSICAL BARRIERS. The physical environment can act as a barrier to communication.

PSYCHOLOGICAL BARRIERS. The sensitivity of these subjects can block communication. Developing a strong empathetic presence builds trust and confidence with your clients to feel more comfortable talking to you..

SOCIAL BARRIERS. Age, religion, education, and culture drive human reactions and behaviors. Overcoming these barriers is done through awareness.

TERMINOLOGY OF LABOR AND BIRTH. The protective liquid that fills the sac surrounding the fetus.

When the fetus is positioned head up to be born with feet or buttocks first.

An incision through the abdomen and uterus for delivery of the baby; commonly called a C-section.

Tightening of the uterus to push the baby down the birth canal.

Anesthesia used during labor that is administered through a catheter inserted near the spinal cord.

Soft spots on the baby’s skull. FONTANELLE. An instrument that may be used to guide the baby’s head out of the birth canal.

When labor is started or accelerated through interventions such as prostaglandin gel, IV Pitocin, or membrane rupture.

The tissue between the vagina and rectum. PERINEUM.

00. When the placenta covers the cervix. PLACENTA PREVIA.

Babies born before 37 weeks gestation. PRETERM. Commonly referred to as “water-breaking,” it’s the rupture of the amniotic sac surrounding the fetus.

An instrument that attaches to the baby’s head to help guide it out of the birth canal.

EARLY LABOR. Early labor is the term for the first phase of labor.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING EARLY LABOR. It will last approximately 8-12 hours.

Contractions feel like strong menstrual cramps, pressure in the pelvic area, and sometimes lower backache..

TACO is an acronym that can be used after membrane rupture.

There are three stages of labor. Early labor was discussed in-depth earlier in the unit. Now we will look at the other two stages..

Offer breathing and relaxation techniques to promote comfort.

The last part of active labor is called the transition phase. This lasts from 15 to 60 minutes and can be particularly painful and intense. Contractions are often only 60-90 seconds apart. There is often intense pressure on the lower back and rectum..

A DOULA’S ROLE DURING DELIVERY. Advocate for the mother regarding any birthing interventions such as vacuum or forceps delivery. Sometimes these are used prematurely, and the mom just needs more time pushing. In this case, it’s important to advocate for the mother and baby. Other times, however, interventions are life-saving measures for the newborn. In this case, you may need to support the mother during an unexpected event..

THE FINAL PART OF THE DELIVERY IS THE DELIVERY OF THE PLACENTA.

Prolonged labor is usually defined by a lack of progress in cervical dilation, rather than a set amount of time..

abstract. SLOW PROGRESS DURING LABOR CAN BE CAUSED BY A VARIETY OF FACTORS, INCLUDING.

Make sure the mother is as rested as possible and stays as relaxed as possible..

A newborn is faced with adaptation to life outside his or her mother’s womb . Healthcare professionals will assess the newborn frequently and thoroughly, to make sure they make this adjustment safely. Newborns undergo three periods of reactivity after birth..

The infant is alert in this stage with a high heart rate. The heart rate stabilizes after the first 30 minutes . Irregular respiration is common..

NEONATAL ASSESSMENT. OXYGENATION. CARDIAC. Newborn infants have a respiration rate of 30-60 breaths per minute . They often breathe shallow and irregularly. It is normal for their abdomen to rise and fall with respirations..

Rooting and sucking reflexes should be present at birth. This means the newborn will search for and latch onto a nipple for nutrition, whether a bottle or breast. Breast or formula feeding should be encouraged as soon as possible after birth..

abstract. A postpartum depression screen is used to determine whether a new mother has or is at risk for developing postpartum depression. This screening is done with all new mothers during the postpartum period..

It’s normal for new mothers to be emotional after childbirth. Not only are there feelings of joy, but also anxiety, irritability, and feeling overwhelmed..

History of depression. RISK FACTORS FOR POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION.

SIGNS OF POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION. Feeling sad most of the time Crying a lot Eating too much or not eating enough Sleeping too much or too little Withdrawal from family or friends Feeling disconnected from the baby Difficulty caring for the baby or completing everyday tasks Guilty feelings Fear of being a bad mother Fear or thoughts of hurting herself or the baby.

The most common interventions are. INTERVENTIONS DURING BIRTH.

INDUCED LABOR. Induced labor is sometimes recommended for a baby to be born sooner due to concerns about the mother or baby’s health. Medical intervention is provided to start labor, instead of waiting for it to begin naturally. It is also sometimes done when mother is too far past her due date without labor starting..

The mother is overdue (more than 41 weeks pregnant ).

RISKS OF LABOR INDUCTION. In 25% of women , induction doesn’t work, and they have to have a C-section.

abstract. AUGMENTING STALLED LABOR. Labor augmentation is sometimes recommended when labor has begun naturally but has become slow or stalled in progress. Basically, it helps to move labor along..

PROCESSES OF LABOR AUGMENTATION. OXYTOCIN ADMINISTRATION.

FETAL MONITORING DURING LABOR. Continuous electronic fetal monitoring is often conducted in hospital birth settings. A monitor is placed around the mother’s belly, to monitor the baby’s heart rate during labor and ensure the baby is healthy throughout the process. There are some pros and cons to continuous monitoring..

Babies constantly change their position inside the womb. During the third trimester, they have less room to move around and start to move their head downwards in preparation for birth. Ideally, the baby will be in a posterior (face down), head-down position at the time of delivery, but this doesn’t always happen..

Sitting with hips higher than knees. Sitting on an exercise or birthing ball.

Educate your client and answer questions.. Explain procedures and help your client communicate with her healthcare team. Support your client during painful procedures such as an IV or spinal block..

GETTING STARTED WITH CLIENTS. Once you have chosen your business name or joined an agency, it is time to start finding clients. Here are some things to keep in mind that will help you get started..

SET GOALS. Use the SMART principle for setting short and long term goals for your Doula practice. Your goals should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. Looking at the big picture will help you design immediate goals to help you get there..

DEVELOP AN ONLINE PRESENCE. It’s key to develop an amazing website to help you reach potential clients. Your website should include who you are, what Doula services you offer, the area you serve, and how to reach you. It’s also a good idea to create social media pages for your business, to engage potential clients. Often, expectant mothers will search online first, so make sure they find you..

NETWORK WITH OTHER DOULAS. Getting to know other Doulas will not only be an asset for learning your craft, but it will help get your name out there. Doulas can only take on so many clients at once, so it’s good for them to know you are available for referrals if needed. Talking to OB/GYN’s, family physicians, and midwives can also help..

CHARGE WHAT YOU’RE WORTH. How much you should charge for Doula services depends on where you live, but take the time to research the rates other Doulas are charging. Don’t set your rates too low or too high. Remember, you are providing your clients with a valuable service, and you deserve to get paid appropriately for your time..