Interview with Doula Kaya Kaiser

"For me, a doula is a woman who is there. A temporary friend who holds the space for me that I need during pregnancy as well as during birth and later in the postpartum period."

In our last article we already talked about the profession and calling of a doula. Today we are even more excited to interview doula Kaya Kaiser (Vienna) for you, because her personal experience answers questions like: Why do I need a doula in the practice? After all, you are looked after by midwives and companions? Why should you take a stranger with you who doesn't know you very well and has no classical medical training?

Nevertheless, many very positive things are reported in connection with births that are also attended by doulas: fewer interventions, less painkillers, better start to breastfeeding or better processing of the birth.

But let’s get started right away:

DEAR KAYA, HOW DID YOU EXPERIENCE THE BIRTH OF YOUR DAUGHTER?
“It was very nice at the beginning. The doctor in the hospital was very understanding (I didn't want to have a preventive IV inserted) and the midwife tried to accommodate my wishes (delivery room with tub, few disruptions, no unsolicited interventions). As the hours went by, the contractions became more intense and the intervals shorter. I was in the tub and coped well. All of that changed when the midwives changed shifts. When the new midwife arrived in the evening, that was the end of my self-determined birth.”

WHAT EFFECT DOES THIS BIRTH EXPERIENCE STILL HAVE ON YOU TODAY AND HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH IT?
"It still concerns me almost every day and still gets in the way when I think about having another child. I'm just so scared of having to experience something like that again. At the same time, I'm also grateful because this experience motivated me to become a doula. Because in my presence, every woman giving birth can always feel seen, heard and taken seriously. That makes a huge difference. As a doula, I can't intervene medically, but I can certainly ensure that the expectant mother can emotionally integrate any interventions that may become necessary. And hopefully, in this way, I can help to avoid birth trauma in my presence.

HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR CONFINEMENT PERIOD? DID YOU FEEL LIKE YOU WERE WELL PREPARED FOR THIS TIME?

I simply didn't know what the postpartum period was and how important it was.

"My postpartum period was a disaster. I must also say, however, that our daughter had health problems that completely surprised us and threw us off track. We spent the first two weeks with her in the hospital. Between the intensive care unit and the breast pumping station, there was hardly any time for anything, and certainly not for a postpartum period as I imagine it today. But even then at home, when there was actually time and space for a postpartum period, it didn't happen. This was primarily because I was completely unaware of it. I simply didn't know what the postpartum period was and how important it was. So no, I wasn't well prepared for this time at all."

WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY WITH THE NEXT CHILD OR NEXT PERIOD?
“EVERYTHING! Stay in bed with the baby for at least 40 days. Let me cook for you and mother you. Sleep, breastfeed, cuddle naked. Give my body and soul time to heal and to arrive in this new world with my baby. Of course, this needs to be planned and organized in advance, especially if you already have a child.”

DID YOU HAVE A DOULA WHEN YOUR DAUGHTER WAS BORN? IN WHICH SCENARIO WOULD IT HAVE BEEN IMPORTANT TO HAVE HER?
“No, I didn't have a doula. That's because I didn't know that doulas existed. She would have been important in every scenario. During pregnancy, when I often felt disorientated. During birth, to make the midwife shift changes more pleasant and to have a constant. Someone I trust, who talks to me and encourages me. Makes me feel that I can and will do it. Simply someone who believes in my strength and power. And of course in the postpartum period, when between pumping and the crying baby there was simply no time to go to the toilet, let alone prepare something healthy and fresh to eat.”

WHEN DID YOU FIRST LEARN ABOUT BEING A DOULA?
“After the birth of my daughter, when I tried to process or even understand what had happened to me during the birth.”

WHAT EXACTLY DOES THE WORD/PROFESSION DOULA MEAN TO YOU?
“For me, a doula is a woman who is there. A temporary friend who holds the space for me that I need during pregnancy, as well as during birth and later in the postpartum period. I find the translation "servant" a little difficult because the term has negative connotations for me. A doula is neither above me nor below me. We meet on an equal footing. Just like friends.”

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO GET CERTIFIED AS A DOULA?
"I've already hinted at this above. In fact, after I finished high school, I spent a long time wrestling with myself about whether I should train to be a midwife. Births have always been incredibly fascinating to me and when I saw an expectant mother somewhere, I was so captivated that I had to force myself not to stare at her uncomfortably. Looking back, I was simply drawn in the right direction at the right time for me."

Thank you for the insight and the nice interview, dear Kaya!

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You can find Kaya on Instagram @ kayanakita or on her website .