Doula-ing with a Language Barrier

 

 

Okay.  If you ever find yourself trying to support a woman in labor when you do not speak their language, here are some ideas for you. 
 

Tips for supporting women during  Stage 1  of labor:

 

If there is any way to watch a woman be supported by another woman in her own culture, that is the best way to learn.  

 

Are there any bilingual (English and the language where you are) people that you can interview? Ask them how to support a woman.  Also, come up with a list of things you would like to be able to say and then get a translation.  Memorize those phrases.

 

Smile, love her, be with her, touch her, hug her.  Be there to hold her weight so she can achieve whatever positions feel best to her. 

 

 Use counter pressure and massage if this seems appropriate and is well received.

 

Follow her hands, she will often rub her own back where it feels good to her.

 

 Sing softly, this says... I am calm, there is no emergency, what is happening to you is normal. 

 

Offer water or other liquids to keep her hydrated

 

Mostly just be with her

 

When Labor is Slow:

 

Consider the position of the baby. If the baby is sitting off-center on the pelvis, the head may not be able to put enough pressure on the cervix for dilation.  Changing positions and moving the pelvis every 20 minutes or so may help to change the baby's position.

 

Some suggested positions would be:

·         Lunges with one foot up on a chair or something

·         Hands and knees or standing next to the bed while swaying the hips

·         Walking

 

Tips for supporting in Stage 2

 

When they are pushing, remember that asking them to squat enlarges the pelvis and unsticks stuck babies.  Most women are hot when pushing, they often like being fanned and a cold, wet cloth on their foreheads.  They are usually thirsty too.

 

Tips for supporting in Stage 3

 

 Fill up a water bottle with hot water (not too hot) and wrap it in a towel, and put it next to her.  Most mamas end up cold and shaky after birth.  Smile at her, she will be able to see that you are proud of her and that you think her baby is beautiful.

 I hope this is helpful to somebody!

 

 

 

A Cussing, Fainting Missionary lady

My head hurts.

I just spent a very long and wonderful day at the hospital as a doula to many lovely women. 

Unfortuately, I had to learn an important lesson the hard way.  No matter how "needed" I am, I need to take little breaks and eat and drink to keep up my stamina.  After birth number five, I started feeling really lightheaded, and yes, I passed out on the floor. 

That is why my head hurts.  It was embarrassing. 

I also shocked all the staff with my dirty mouth. They call me the missionary lady and have high expectations for what words I may or may not use.  Due to a language mess up on my part I accidently swore a few times while trying to say. "I think we need to put a new sheet on the bed." I just mixed up two words that were very close. I never did explain myself either as  there was a baby coming out right about then.  Oh well.

Part of the reason that I didn't take breaks is that I had two women in a row that were terrified for me to leave them.  Both had been laboring completely alone for over 24 hours and both would cling to me and beg me to stay if I even took a step in another direction. 

There were four girls and one boy born today, and apparently there have been five girls for every boy born at this hospital for over a year now.  This would cause future problems if we were in the USA - but here, some guys have 5 wives...so I guess it will all work out.