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Supportive, gentle hands rubbed my aching back. The pain lessened to a tolerable numbness. My husband smiled down at me as the contractions faded. I smiled back at him, appreciating his support. I knew he was feeling helpless. He wanted to do something but wasn't sure what. I looked over towards Nancy as the next contraction took my breathe away. She grabbed my hands and encouraged me to squeeze back as the peak of the contraction controlled my body. I knew for several years that I wanted to try to have this baby "naturally." I already had my induction type of experience. I had an epidural that ended up not working well. If that was the case, I decided just to do the whole thing without any medical help. That's how it use to be, having a baby without medical intervention. Imagine that.

Making the decision that is so traditional in this contemporary world of medicine is hard to do because it meets alot of resistance. Choosing to use a doula is a very personal decision that each woman has to feel very strong about. It is easy to make a decision not to use pain medication or medical intervention when you are 10 weeks pregnant. But it is also okay if when the big time comes, that it becomes too stressful for you and your family and you change your mind. After all, the goal is that you and the baby are healthy. Your family needs to be supportive of your decision. Let them know that their birth horror stories aren't appreciated. After all, this is your delivery, not theirs.
Things to keep in mind when choosing to use a doula.
1. Be honest with yourself. What type of pain tolerance do you have?
2. What type of support do you have with your partner?
3. How do you define a perfect labor experience?
4. List the reasons you think having a doula may help you during your delivery.

After you have decided to use a doula, find someone you feel comfortable with. After all, this person is going to be your helping hand during the most momentous time in your life. If you and the doula don't click, find someone else. Find someone that you feel comfortable with sharing your fears and concerns regarding the soon to be event. A good doula can provide acceptance and support without saying a word. Their presence should be comforting.

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