NORTH SMITHFIELD – In the mid-20th century, the common childbirth experience involved the expecting mother being willingly drugged into unconsciousness – and she didn’t remember giving birth.
The newborn was fed formula from a bottle according to norms of the time.
But the 1960s brought change and choice to the birthing of a child – hippies and others preferred everything natural.
“They wanted to be aware and involved in labor and birth. They were concerned about the possible effects of labor medications on themselves and their babies. They started writing birth plans and hiring doulas,” noted an article on WomensHealthToday.blog.
In 2020, some doulas might consult in-person, while others are offering video conferencing.
A doula is defined as, “a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a mother before, during and shortly after childbirth to help her achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible,” according to DONA International, a 26-year-old professional organization that “has certified more than 12,000 DONA International doulas in more than 50 countries.”
Having a new baby can be daunting, and mothers have questions and concerns. With the advent of telehealth, answers and support are available, says Paulette Butler, of Nightlight Doula, based in North Smithfield.
Before vital service industries and organizations were subjected to severe restriction or outright canceled over concerns of the spread of COVID-19, the expectant or new mother might receive guidance about labor, delivery, and caring for a baby by enrolling in an in-person class such as a breast-feeding or support group.
“The uncertainties of the situation and stay-at-home mandates have presented unique challenges for our families,” writes author of The Pregnant Pause, Dawn Kingston associate professor at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada, on PsychologyToday.com. “Humans are social by nature, and when we are not getting regular social contact, our mental health suffers. For pregnant women, women about to give birth or new moms, COVID-19 presents an extra unique set of challenges, especially if certain supports that usually promote healthy mental health in moms and families are missing.”
Particularly now, a doula provides physical, emotional and informational support and advocacy.
“Advocacy is defined as supporting the birthing person in their right to make decisions about their own body and baby,” according to Rebecca Dekker at Evidence Based Birth, online childbirth resource.
“The birth doula goes to the hospital, stays with the baby , and gives emotional and physical support to the family in the labor room, and navigates the medical practice of having a baby,” said North Smithfield’s Butler.
“Doulas provide non-medical physical and emotional support before, during, and right after childbirth with the goal of helping mothers advocate for themselves. The profession isn’t regulated…a few dozen private certification organizations… train professional doulas…., ” reported BuzzFeedNews.
Women preparing for forthcoming childbirth, and women who have just given birth, especially of the first child, have numerous concerns and might need help, including caring for the newborn and themselves.
For example, says Butler, who is a postpartum duala, a mother might have questions or general anxiety on topics such as knowledge about what temperature to keep her home; what to do about the baby crying; if the infant’s bowel movement is normal; the proper way to hold the baby; or if the baby should sleep on her all night. Also, a first-time mother at 40 or older might not have or want to ask her own mother for advice. With conflicting ideas and suggestions online, having an expert to consult can bring answers.
“[I] listen to concerns; don’t tell them what to do, but when asked questions give evidence-based suggestions,” Butler said. “Lots of women today don’t have a family to help.”
As a postpartum doula, she soothes, feeds, teaches and lets the mother – or parents – get some sleep.
“Postpartum doulas offer essential support to families and this support does not become less essential in times of public adversity. In times of high stress, it is important that new mothers/parents have time and support to care for their basic needs such as nutrition and rest in order to maintain their strength and resistance to remain low risk in case of infection,” writes Laura Nance, senior program advisor at the Postpartum Doula Program at CAPPA, an international certification organization established 1988 for doulas, childbirth educators and lactation educators.
To provide support, Butler offers online course and videos, and for clients she’s available to video chat, text, or phone calls as needed. She’s a member of Doulas of RI, a nonprofit organization to “support each other, and spread the word.”
Butler has 35 years of experience, and for the last 10 years including seven full-time, has been working as a doula with families all around Rhode Island. She is a certified lactation counselor who is also considered a breastfeeding authority.
The first two weeks of the infant’s life is of vital importance for the mother and baby to learn to breastfeed together, said Butler. Most women, she says, lack knowledge of breastfeeding; they don’t see a breastfeeding woman their whole lives. Therefore, the new mother needs support and education.
To this goal, Butler works online with the mother and the father as well as the baby to learn the proper method of breastfeeding, such as the positioning of the infant and the mom.
A study published by American Family Physician Foundation found support for the mother, “increases the duration of any breastfeeding.” In-person support is “superior” to phone interventions, the study found.
Butler, a mother of adult children, considers herself as a doula taking the role of substitute mother or grandmother for clients. She remembers when she was a 24-year-old ski instructor and breastfeeding her baby after pumping her milk the old-fashioned manual way, and leaving the milk in a bottle in the snow until time for feeding her child.
Since the ‘60s back-to-nature movement, more choices for child birth and the fourth trimester are available to mothers, including in semi-rural North Smithfield and the rest of Rhode Island.
Find information about Paulette Butler’s doula services at her website nightlightdoula.com
