Fort Oglethorpe resident Reshae Massey isn’t a midwife or a doctor, she’s a doula – in layman’s terms, a birthing coach.
“I’m basically there to constantly support the mother,” said Massey. “My biggest focus is on mothering the mother.”
A mother of two young boys herself, she began practicing as a doula after their births and is in the process of becoming certified while she works with Birth Chattanooga.
For her clients, the process begins with prenatal interviews and a birth plan consultation. Once the mother is in active labor, Massey stays with her throughout the entirety of the birth as well as several hours after, whether that means three or 23 hours. About two weeks after the birth, she comes back one more time for a postpartum interview.
Whether the client chooses a home or hospital, water, natural or epidural-aided birth, Massey said she is willing to work with the mother. Being a doula doesn’t mean she is anti-medicine or hospitals, it’s just a renewed focus on the mother to help them through a sometimes stressful and life changing event, Massey explained.
“I basically just help the mom stay comfortable and relax,” she said. “I am there solely for the mom and what she needs.”
According to Massey, having a doula present during birth also helps reduce labor time, increases a mother’s ability to bond with her baby and reduces the requests for epidurals or pain medication by 30 percent. Some insurance companies are beginning to realize the value of having a doula present and even covering it in policies, she added.
“A lot of times people don’t think about giving birth as a life event, but it really is,” said Massey. “Throughout history, doulas have always been around whether they got paid for it or were called something else. When birthing moved from the home to the hospital we kind of lost that, but it’s coming back.”
For her, the best part of being a doula is getting to help empower women when they give birth and be a part of the special day.
“I love to see husbands support their wives and getting to witness such an intimate thing between two people,” she said. “I also love seeing that moment when they put the baby on the mother’s chest for the first time. It’s so special for people to allow you to be that close.”
Prices between different doulas vary but Massey said most are willing to work with clients, because they want to be able to afford them the experience.
For more information visit birthchattanooga.com or email Massey at reshaemassey@gmail.com.