Hypnobirthing and Doulas?

[kelley piasecki]

I interviewed with a potential client last week (I was one of 3 doulas that they interviewed with).........well, she just called me this morning and said that they have decided to go a different route and do hypnobirthing. I didn't know what to say, but "thank you for letting me know, I appreciate your call, please call me if you change your mind......etc." I was really bummed, because I really liked this couple and was looking forward to maybe being their doula.

Do doulas work with moms who do hypnobirthing? I guess I should know this for future clients....it's not something that I thought about before.

Thanks for your input!!

[~Tranquility~Doula]

Yes, doulas can and do work with HypnoBirthing moms. Your role may be more laid back but you are still useful. Typically the dad is there giving mom promps to put her more deeply into hypnosis and they also do alot of effleurage. If dad needs a break then the doula can take over for him. You would just need to go over the promps ahead of time with the mom so are are familiar with them.
I'm teaching a (HypnoBirthing) class now and both couples have hired me to be their doula. I think it also takes the pressure off the dad, just like it would under the circumstance if mom was using a different type of childbith prep.

[DL]

Noelia is right. For some doulas (like ME! ), hypnobirthing may be out of their comfort zone if they haven't had any experience with it, but yes....there are doulas who attend hypnobirth births (is that how you say it? )

[kelley piasecki]

Ok.....thanks for your responses! I wish I knew more about it. Maybe I'll start researching it....

I'm feeling a little discouraged that she chose hypnobirthing over a doula.

[tlcdoula]

Okay, I am trying a third time to send this and it keeps not being posted - ugghhh.

Anyhow, what I said previously is that I think it can be a good idea to learn a little bit about all the various styles that are out there and then when you have a family call and mention a method you can have a plan on things you can say about how you can help them. Since they called they might have been giving you the chance to say 'well as a doula I can still be helpful to a hypnobirthing family by doing....."

[kelley piasecki]

Thanks Michelle......actually, one of the things that I said when she called was, "I've heard of doulas helping with hypobirthing", and she replied with "I know". So she knows that. I guess I should have rephrased it as, "I can still help you even though....." It's too late now.

[tlcdoula]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelley piasecki "I can still help you even though....." It's too late now.

Yes that might have helped Reality is this is a business where we are always learning, so all you can do is take this experience and learn from it. I can't even begin to tell you how many experiences I have had like this LOL

btw - how close to Milwaukee are you? The reason I ask is because you say you are in southeastern WI (I am too), and I work at Columbia Birth Place as a staff doula and we are looking for more great ladies to join our program (the hospital is in Milwaukee close to UWM). If you are interested I would love to talk more with you about it.

[newbirth]

I will be helping another doula to get my feet wet with hospital doulaing this summer. The client is planning on taking hypnobirthing classes, and hopefully I'll be able to attend them with her. I've heard of the method, but I'm not terribly familiar with it. Has anyone here worked with a hypnobirthing client?

[~Tranquility~Doula]

I'm a Hypnobirthing Practitioner. What questions do you have?

[newbirth]

I guess my questions are what can I expect? What is the best way to support a hypnobirthing client as a doula? The client just mentioned a book I'll be looking into. Are there any websites you would particularly recommend in addition? The client is also a VBAC, which I'm not sure if that makes any difference wrt the hypnobirthing, but I'll throw that out there, too. The client will also be asking if I can attend the sessions with her, so hopefully that will happen.

[~Tranquility~Doula]

You should definitely go to a few sessions with her. I don't see why it would be a problem. Most practitioners will allow an extra support person to attend classes. Just expect her to be very comfortably relaxed. Try to keep the room quiet for her. There really isn't a lot of "coaching" that you'll need to do. You will get a list of suggestions that you can say to her. You'll definitely need to change your birth language so reading the book will help a ton. For example, instead of the word "contraction" we use the word "surge" or "wave".

I gotta get ready for class so if you have any other questions I'll answer them tonight or tomorrow.

[newbirth]

Thank you for mentioning the language issue. I'll keep that in mind. I requested the book through interlibrary loan. It's currently checked out, so hopefully it'll be returned soon. The doula I'm working with also has the book, so I can borrow from her if necessary.

[MothertheMother]

I have read the book and it is very informative...even if you aren't going to use hypnobirthing there is a lot of great information.

[fearlessbirth]

I agree with Christy. I bought the Hypnobirthing book (that came with a CD) just learn what it's about. It's awesome! And the reframing of words is pretty neat too. And, I have to admit, that even though I'm not pregnant and obviously not in labor, I sometimes listen to the CD to put me sleep if I've had a long day or rough week. Lol I really recommend picking this book up because even if you don't have a Hypnobirthing client, per se, the ideas and activities in the book can prove helpful anyway.

[MothertheMother]

My husband listened to it with me the first time...two days later he was asking if we were going to listen to it again!! We were listening and the next thing we knew it was morning. Very relaxing