What is a Size Friendly Doula?
In my first blog post I covered the topic which I address pretty much every time someone finds out that I am a doula. This blog entry is dedicated to the topic I feel is rarely touched on:
Plus size women in birth.
A size friendly doula is a doula who has interest in working with women of size or have previous experience of working with plus size clients.
The significance of a doula for a plus size mom should in no way be underestimated. Pregnant women who are plus size, many times face many more obstacles surrounding their birth than the average size expectant mother in our country (US). Most obstacles are not solely based on the health of the plus size mom (as assumed by many) rather the perception her physician and the hospital personnel have of the laboring mother, because of her size. Another hurdle many mothers of size cope with is the fact they may be an automatic cesarean section, without trial of labor. It is a proven fact, plus size women are at a higher risk of having a primary cesarean birth without always having a medical indication why. All women who hire a doula are greatly lowering their risk of undergoing an unnecessary cesarean section, but especially when she is a plus size and pregnant.
The options of care are laid out for every woman, but sometimes not for the plus size mother. While some women of size may in fact be in a high risk category, this should not be a safe assumption from her care provider. The dignity and respect that is owed to her, via her care provider, is of great importance (just like every other mother) and will directly impact her experience in a monumental way. A doula will offer reassurance and encouragement, and work diligently together beforehand is what can really impact and set the confident tone as she approaches her due date.
Finding a trusting & committed care provider, as a plus size mom, may sometimes be the only but hardest challenge of them all. For women in general, we don't know exactly how a care provider will handle a birth, until the mom is actually at the hospital in labor. It is of great concern, for plus size moms, who will actually be attending their birth. In a hospital setting things can unravel quite quickly if your regular provider, who is familiar with your history, is away. It is easy for an on-call physician to use the "complication for your size" card at any point in your labor, leading to possible use of unnecessary interventions for the convenience of the doctor. This is where your doula is a critical part of your support team and she will help you navigate the options you are most comfortable with as discussed prenatally.
Doulas have many resources and have many times worked with local trusted care providers that we know first hand, will care properly for our plus size clients. We also have plenty of unbiased and evidence based information, that may impact your final decision, on who will attend your birth and even where you give birth [not all plus size women choose to birth in an institution.] To reduce the risk of unnecessary interventions it is wise have a solid birth plan and sometimes even a secondary birth plan tailored to you, the plus size mom. It is always empowering to know your options before they become an urgent or emergency matter, just like every other birth. We also work closely to educate our clients on the possible interventions that could be necessary for any preexisting conditions and how we can maneuver and make their birth the best is can be, just like an other birth, see the pattern here?
Plus size does not always equal high risk.
I have created this post for all plus size mothers, to help alleviate possible apprehensions around inviting any of our AKRON DOULAS to your birth. We have an interest in serving YOU & all members of our community, no matter your size, lifestyle or background we are here to support our community as a whole.
Thank you for reading!
Dedicated to all the plus size women who I love in my life.
Please stay tuned - next week: Why Can't My Partner Be My Doula?
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