“Will you support me if I get an epidural?”

This was the question I asked a lot during my own search for a doula. As a first time mama, I wasn’t sure what the experience of birth would be like for me and I wanted to keep all my options open. I, like many others I talked to, assumed that doulas primarily served home, birth center, or unmedicated births, and I worried that if I chose to go a different route my doula would either discourage me or leave.

At Little Bird Births, the answer to this question is an unequivocal, “Yes!” Whether you knew an epidural was part of your birth plan the moment you saw the little pink line, trying for an unmedicated birth but want to keep your options open, or making a game-time decision in the throws of labor, we’re here to support you! Once you have received an epidural, your needs as a birthing person do not decrease, your partner/support people still deserve support, and postpartum assistance can be more helpful than ever.

Here are some ways we’ll show up for you during labor with an epidural:

1. Emotional and educational support prenatally

   All of our Labor & Birth clients receive three prenatal visits during which they have a chance to form a close personal bond with their doula, discuss birth preferences, and learn how support will be offered throughout their labor and birth. If you already know you want an epidural, we’ll focus specifically on what to expect before it is administered, how it works, and how to keep your labor progressing once your epidural is in place. If you’re not sure about an epidural but want to keep your options open, we’ll discuss both pharmaceutical and alternative pain management options and put a plan into place for you to request an epidural if you want one.

2. Early labor physical and emotional support
   Even if you plan to get an epidural the moment you roll into your hospital’s parking lot (spoiler- this isn’t possible, but they can usually jump on them fairly quickly once you arrive), you’ll have to spend some time in early labor without it. Your doula can help you create rituals for pain management like controlled breathing, movement, positioning, and counter pressure. This help with early labor pain management can be particularly helpful in triage while you’re signing paperwork and being admitted, as well as during the actual placement of the epidural (if hospital policy allows your doula to be present).

3. Movement and positions to keep labor progressing

   Once your epidural is placed, your doula can help you get into positions that can help keep labor moving. It is a common misconception that once you have an epidural you have to labor on your back in bed… THIS IS A MYTH! Your doula is trained to help you find safe, supported positions that create space for baby to move into the pelvis and rotate and descend into place. It’s amazing how creative we can get with our epidural mamas!

4. Supported pushing
   Another misconception is that clients with epidurals must push on their backs in bed. If you like that position for pushing (many birthing people do), your doula can help you make small adjustments to maximize comfort and productivity. If you would like to try other pushing positions with your epidural, your doula can help position you so that you are supported and safe while you push. Because it can also be challenging to know when to push with an epidural, your doula can coach your pushing, helping you know when to push and where to direct your power.

5. Postpartum

   Once your baby arrives, your doula will stay with you for 1-2 hours to help you recover, initiate feeding, and settle in with your little one. This can be particularly helpful as your epidural wears off, allowing you and your partner to rest with your baby while your doula gets you a meal, cleans up your space or prepares you to move to recovery, and helps you get everything into place for infant care.

BONUS: Epidurals can be finicky beasts. If you experience itching, ineffective pain relief or pain relief only on one side, your doula can help you get the help you need to experience the relief you are seeking as well as help you manage what you are feeling until that relief arrives.

Are you curious about what an epidural-supported birth looks like with a doula? Let’s grab a coffee and chat!