At Excel by Eight, one of our goals is to ensure that all women receive complete, high-quality preconception, prenatal, and postpartum care. Erica’s experience highlights the importance of doula support in advocating for patients’ voices to be heard during childbirth, in addition to providing emotional and physical support during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. She shares how her doula, Nicolle Fletcher, provided crucial support during the birth of her daughter and reminded her that she had options. Read her story below.
So, I actually spontaneously went into labor at 35 weeks and 5 days. My husband was out of town, and all my family is in Texas. My husband almost didn’t make it to our daughter’s birth. I was basically alone for the beginning of labor, but Nicolle was there, and she was my rock. It was just me, her, and a student. I don’t think I could have done it without her. It was very empowering.
I went into the hospital so that they could confirm that my water did indeed break, and I didn’t even have a bag packed. Once they confirmed my water broke, I was like “OK, great, well I have to go home and get my hospital bag.” It being the middle of the night, and me going out of my mind, I called Nicolle. She told me that if I was comfortable, even though the hospital would advise against it, she told me I could go home if it would make me more comfortable. So, even having her there to tell me that I have options was amazing. That’s just one example of it, though.
During the labor, they mentioned putting me on Pitocin at 9 a.m. With Nicolle’s support, we didn’t elect to take it then; we elected to use it later at 5 p.m. Just knowing that I had that option and her support was amazing. Having Nicolle even telling me that I could go home the night before — to have my own clothes and my own things — helped me feel a little more prepared.
Delaying the Pitocin and electing to not use all 20 units unless I needed it was empowering. I was also throwing up at one point, and Nicolle mentioned using non-medical interventions. Her giving me these options, instead of just being told what was going to be done to me, really helped. She read the room so well and advocated for me. She took on a support role so I could focus on what was going on with myself.
She empowered me to do what was best for me, not what’s best for the hospital or for the doctors. Your doula is concerned about you and you only. As a new mom, I didn’t know what my options were or what to expect. Having someone who has been there and knows what to expect and can act as the liaison while respecting the space that I’m in was awesome.
I would 10/10 recommend having a doula. It doesn’t matter how you give birth — C-section or natural. Nicolle was also there for me postpartum. She came to me and helped me so much. I never had to worry about going to the clinic and being told what to do. She helped me with what was currently going on and was genuinely concerned with how I was currently doing. She helped me when my milk let down and helped me get my baby to latch better. A doula helps you through everything.
I think that having a doula makes a shift for more positive experiences and can change the whole mindset for even what childbirth is. I feel very privileged to have had a beautiful birth experience, even though it wasn’t what I was expecting. Nicolle was a huge emotional support too. Since my husband almost didn’t make it, she told me that I had to come to terms with that possibility in order for the birth to progress further. She gave it to me straight. The emotional support, the physical support, the communication — I just couldn’t have done it without her.
Erica Higginbotham
World Doula Week occurs annually from March 22, beginning with World Doula Day, continuing through March 28. Doula support is vital for maternal health, from pregnancy to postpartum. That’s why Excel by Eight is proud to assist visionary doulas across Arkansas as they advocate for better access to doula services. Together, we’re addressing maternal health challenges and championing quality care for all. View our policy agenda here.