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| |    Dads and Doulas by Armin Brott reviewed by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. Even after taking childbirth-preparation classes, a lot of expectant dads still worry about how they'll do during the labor and delivery of their children. After all, how much can you really learn in a six-week class? If you're feeling this way, or if you just think it might be nice for everyone concerned to have someone knowledgeable and supportive at your side during labor, consider a doula. No, we're not talking about a duel here. Doula (rhymes with hula) is actually a Greek word that means "woman caregiver of another woman." Doulas-usually women with children of their own-are thoroughly trained in how to give the laboring mom-to-be and her husband (that's you) emotional and physical support throughout labor. She also is a fountain of birth-related information, so you'll find you can fire away questions about everything from breech deliveries to Apgar tests. A new old idea Don't feel bad if you've never heard of a doula. It's a fairly new concept. Well, sort of. For millennia, pregnant women in cultures all over the world have gone through labor with another woman at their side. That's the way it used to be here, too. But starting in the 1930s, women began having babies in hospitals instead of at home, and everyone but the woman and her doctors was booted out of the delivery room. In the seventies, dads starting filtering back into delivery rooms, and in 1980, Dr. Marshall Klaus and his colleagues reintroduced the notion of doulas in the U.S. and gave it its name. Okay, so having a doula around sounds like a warm and fuzzy idea, but is it really worth the trouble and the expense? Absolutely. Research has shown that the presence of a doula can reduce the length of a woman's labor by as much as 25 percent and the odds of her needing pain medication by nearly 50 percent. The chances of needing a forceps delivery drop 35-82 percent, and the c-section rate drops 34-67 percent. Pretty impressive. She's there for you, too Still, a lot of guys worry about having anyone else involved, afraid that they'll get pushed out of the way. Those fears are completely unfounded. Doulas are there to help both parents have the childbirth experience they want. Your wife has hormones and natural impulses keeping her going, you don't. And if you try to be her sole source of support and clear thinking throughout the entire process, you might snap. By encouraging you and giving you an occasional back rub or meal break, the doula also is letting you recharge your batteries so you can be more of a help to your wife. Costs and services Most doulas charge a flat fee-somewhere between $200 and $800, depending on where you live. This usually includes a prenatal visit or two, labor and delivery support (starting whenever you feel you need her through a few hours after the birth), and a few post-delivery visits (during which she can answer questions and give breastfeeding advice). Check with your insurance company to see whether they'll pick up the tab. Some of the more enlightened carriers have seen how much having a doula can reduce other birth-related expenditures. If you're interested in finding out more about doulas in your area, check with your wife's doctor or the hospital where you're planning to have the baby. Otherwise, contact Doulas of North America at www.dona.org, (801)756-7331.
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