Sasha Weigel: Doula and Midwife in Training
Sasha Weigel: Doula and Midwife in Training
by Andrew Piccone
Tell me about your job.
I was traveling in Thailand, working in a hospital about three years ago. I got to see the maternity ward there and some births and it basically changed the course of my life. When I came back I became an EMT and I started assisting births — not as an EMT, totally separate. Suddenly I was launched into the medical world and I became a Doula, which is a certified birth assistant, and now I am studying to become a midwife. To become a Doula you go through a six-month certification process and it’s basically an emotional and psychological support system for the mother. It differs from a midwife in that a midwife is actually birthing the baby, catching the baby — it’s hands on. A Doula never has to put gloves on, but she’ll be there suggesting visualizations and breathing techniques and position changes, providing support, being there for the mother. Whatever the mom requires, the Doula is there for her. It’s a very intuitive dance, the mother is not going to be able to always express in words what she really needs. Keeping her busy is key.
What was it about the maternity ward in Thailand that got you hooked on birthing?
Birth is the most beautiful process there is. It’s just so profound, a moment of true humanness. There are only two thresholds in this world; birth and death. I absolutely chose birth. It’s exquisitely primal, you know? It strips and sheds every pretense and facade and it asks you to be the most powerful being you can be. It’s incredibly powerful to see mothers go through a natural childbirth. Or any birth. It’s transformative to know you can get through that. It’s huge. And to watch women do that, to triumph every time, birth after birth, it was just exquisite. It was addicting.
Who is a typical client for a Doula?
A typical client is someone who is going to have a natural child birth. That doesn’t mean you can’t have a Doula while you have a cesarean, because there’s a huge emotional component to a cesarean section as well, but most people who hire a Doula want to try a natural child birth. I have had a number of clients who’ve had epidurals, so it doesn’t mean we can’t do that if they want it. But it usually means they’re wanting to have the natural childbirth. The people in the city who employ Doulas vary so much, which is what’s so wonderful about it. There are Doulas who charge 2500 to 3000 for birth in New York, I used to live in Boston where that wasn’t the norm at all. I tend to charge anywhere between 800 and 1500. Since I’m in school and my availability is funky sometimes I have to rely on backup. A Doula should represent continuity, always being there, always being available, so it’s difficult when you can’t.
What are some of the misconceptions about Doula-ing and midwifery?
A lot of people don’t realize the difference between the two. As a Doula you’re hired by the client, the mother, and not provided through the hospital. A recommendation might be given, but that’s it. People think Doulas and midwives work together; they don’t. A midwife is a specialist who specializes in normal birth. Of course if there are complications a midwife is going to know how to handle them, but a neonatal team would join her. The other misconception that comes to mind is that midwives perform only home-births, there’s kind of this hippy-dippy reputation to it for some reason. That’s not the case. I love the whole holistic thing, but working at home, it can be much dicier for the midwife, putting her much more at risk in terms of liability. Then there’s the nurse-midwife who works only in a hospital, which is what I’m doing. It was a tough route because I had to become an RN first. It’s a dangerous world to not have malpractice insurance, I wouldn’t want to lose my career in a clinic overnight. It would make me nervous to not have backup, to not be able to press a button to have a doctor come in. Also, if you’re going to have a birth at home you’re already sold on this being a holistic, natural, beautiful — albeit hard — process. I feel like I can do more in a hospital. So many moms come in and are put on the conveyor belt, just sent through. It’s good to bring a personalized touch to this sterile setting, that’s what I’m hoping to do.
What is the social life of a Doula like?
My phone is on me all the time, on my pillow when I sleep. About two weeks before a mom is due I tend to have not more than one drink max in an evening. Going to a birth is kind of the most exciting thing in the world, so it’s not like a drawback. There was one time I remember a couple years ago that I couldn’t go to this party that I really wanted to go to. But I mean, parties are a dime a dozen, births are not. The way moms transform in birth, it’s so profound. I’d watch one every day if I could. It’s literally way more fun than partying with my friends. I don’t have any children, but I definitely plan on being on my own Doula/midwife, but probably not for a while.
Do you have a favorite hospital in New York?
I’m still sort of new to the city, I moved here in Fall of 2009, I’m still collecting data on everything. The birth center at St Luke’s is probably my favorite place so far. A birth center is different than a labor delivery floor, it’s designed to be more cozy and home-like because women tend to want to give birth in a familiar setting, it’s easier, it makes them more relaxed. That environment is really wonderful. Methodist Hospital in Park Slope is not so good, it’s chaotic, not the nicest place in the world. My last time there I was not treated the best. It’s hard to blame these labor delivery nurses who are doing like 30 births a night in 12 hour shifts, it would get to me too.
Andrew Piccone is a photographer in New York.