Anybody see NBC this morning and their "piece" on Doulas? - Page 2

[jmg762]

Response to NBC's piece on doulas

I found this piece biased & discouraging. Our doula group has decided to ask NBC for a correction. Please email me offlist to add your name to this letter if you were offended, or concerned by the image this piece portrayed of doulas [e-mail]

"Dear Friends and Colleagues,
We, Doulas of Greater St. Louis along with local childbirth educators and birth activists are asking for your support. Recently, NBC aired a piece on labor support which we feel left viewers with a negative view about doula support by kicking off the interview with the question, “Is it worth it”.
In a hospital interview, an obstetrician stated that they “banned” doulas, because they “get in the way”, suggesting that doulas interfere in critical moments that can adversely affect outcomes. Another physician went on to state that doula services are a “luxury”. If you didn’t see this segment, please take the time to view the piece at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27808452/.
We would like an opportunity to turn this view into something positive by gaining signatures and support of local families, obstetricians, midwives, doulas and other concerned citizens. Doulas are here to physically, emotionally and educationally support families in the childbearing years. Our support significantly decreases chances of medical interventions including use of Pitocin, pain medication and cesarean surgery, increased success with nursing, positive feelings about the birth experience, and a reduced possibility of post partum depression. Aside from the positive affects on the families we serve, doulas are helping hospitals and insurance companies alike by cutting the cost of the overall labor and birth. We have made great strides in the hospital setting working as team members with doctors and nurses alike.
If you have worked with a doula who contributed to positive feelings about your birth or such experiences of your clients or patients, please sign this document which will be used to encourage NBC to air a new piece on doulas and the positive effects of the services we provide. As many of you already can attest, in today’s atmosphere of managed care, we are a necessity, not a luxury.
Thank you for your support and consideration,"

[minkajane]

Wow, that was crazy. They were pretty much saying that doulas make moms actually think about what they're being told to do. The female doctor kept talking about delays in making the "appropriate decision." It's not a decision if there's no CHOICE involved! If your orders are the only possible action, that is not a decision in any way, shape, or form.

I have to stop now, my mind is spinning.

[ShadowMoon]

I'm not even going to watch it.....this time of year infuriates me enough heh. Our doula was the single most important piece of my birth process...I couldn't have had a better hospital birth without her. They are extremely valuable and help to empower women, their partners and their birth experience.

[FondestBianca]

When I went in to do my birth plan at the very catholic, very big, hospital I will be delivering at i mentioned having a doula and the lady said, "oh, thats wonderful. It's always such a big help to moms to have them helping during labor". I was surprised to get that reaction from hospital staff... hopefully the nurses will feel the same way!

When I told my doc (who will be delivering) I would have a doula there at the birth he was quite happy about it. He said he's had good expereinces with doulas being a big help for moms and making labor much more comfortable.

However, when telling some family and friends about having a doula they usually say, "whats a doula?" then when i explain they act as if it's some weird, out there, nonsense, that I simply must be wasting money on. Ok, maybe they don't SAY that exactly in those words but, they sort of give me a funny look and say with a bit of attitude and confusion, "why do you have one of those?" :

[Turquesa]

Originally Posted by jecombs

That piece was infuriating!

But it was good to see that all the comments were pro-doula and anti-Nancy Sniderman!

Snyderman was on it??? The employed-by-Johnson-and-Johnson fanatical pro-vaxer Snyderman? Wow! She's just on a rampage all things crunchy!

[Turquesa]

Originally Posted by jmg762

I found this piece biased & discouraging. Our doula group has decided to ask NBC for a correction. Please email me offlist to add your name to this letter if you were offended, or concerned by the image this piece portrayed of doulas [e-mail]

"Dear Friends and Colleagues,
We, Doulas of Greater St. Louis along with local childbirth educators and birth activists are asking for your support. Recently, NBC aired a piece on labor support which we feel left viewers with a negative view about doula support by kicking off the interview with the question, “Is it worth it”.
In a hospital interview, an obstetrician stated that they “banned” doulas, because they “get in the way”, suggesting that doulas interfere in critical moments that can adversely affect outcomes. Another physician went on to state that doula services are a “luxury”. If you didn’t see this segment, please take the time to view the piece at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27808452/.
We would like an opportunity to turn this view into something positive by gaining signatures and support of local families, obstetricians, midwives, doulas and other concerned citizens. Doulas are here to physically, emotionally and educationally support families in the childbearing years. Our support significantly decreases chances of medical interventions including use of Pitocin, pain medication and cesarean surgery, increased success with nursing, positive feelings about the birth experience, and a reduced possibility of post partum depression. Aside from the positive affects on the families we serve, doulas are helping hospitals and insurance companies alike by cutting the cost of the overall labor and birth. We have made great strides in the hospital setting working as team members with doctors and nurses alike.
If you have worked with a doula who contributed to positive feelings about your birth or such experiences of your clients or patients, please sign this document which will be used to encourage NBC to air a new piece on doulas and the positive effects of the services we provide. As many of you already can attest, in today’s atmosphere of managed care, we are a necessity, not a luxury.
Thank you for your support and consideration,"

I think this is excellent!!! Is it too late to add some of the evidence bases about doulas? Hospitals are (supposedly) all about providing evidence-based care that serves the best interest of the patient. Study after study after study has demonstrated positive birth outcomes with the use of a doula. That's enough to dismiss any OB's anecdotal, anti-doula diatribes! :