The period of transition is the most challenging and the most emotional part of work. It brings about rapid changes in the sensations, attention span and intolerance to outer sensations to the majority of the clients.
What made yesterday a favorable day, may be too demanding the following day. A father who is a doula understands that this form of help deals more with doing less and being more. The goal is to maintain as limited as possible extraneous stimulation and yet attain a stable and reassuring relationship that will help in maintenance of grounding the client.
Understanding Sensory Sensitivity.
During a transitional period, the nervous system is highly active, and the client is highly responsive to sound, touch, light, and even dialogue. Minor contributions which formerly were comforting may begin to creep in. There has to be change in the consciousness, in a manner that the doula has an idea when stimulation is not effective. The changes in the breathing pattern, facial expression behavior, and withdrawal can be taken as the signs that the client does not need more input, he/she needs less.
Doula training is more oriented towards the techniques and tools, whereas the process of transition demands the feeling of judgment as to how and when those techniques and tools should be used. Instead of taking the roller coaster of the different measures of comfort, it is more appropriate to streamline. Remaining attentive to the client responses the doula can make necessary amendments in time removing all that causes strain. This is so that it does not over stimulate unintentionally and to enable a more down-to-earth experience.
Simplifying Verbal and Physical Support.
The transition verbal support should also be less determined and more direct. Short, snappy sentences, which are said in a low key may be more practical than protracted praise. The usage of too many words can compel the client to process the information more than he or she can. The monotonous voice may then become an anchor, and silence may be strong as well as supportive when it is there as when it is absent.
Another thing that should be changed is the physical touch. What was once so relaxing, may have become too violent or too distracting. It may be useful to continue using one point of contact such as hand on shoulder or lower back as compared to changing techniques as frequently. The doula course may offer various comfort methods, but transition is a situation when fewer and better-timed interventions are required due to the heightened sensitivity of the client.
Creating a Calm Environment.
The significance of the physical environment has been discovered to be enormous in preventing sensory overload. The room can easily be overloaded with high lighting, loud voices and extraneous foot traffic. It is also possible to contribute, switching the lights off, as little people as possible speak and only little noise is produced to contain and make the environment conducive. Even the slightest shift can produce a noticeable difference in the attitude of the client to this phase.
The fact that the doula is there herself is also crucial. The general power of the room can be controlled by the use of low tones and a quiet tone of voice. Anxieties are likely to lead their clients, especially during hard times. This sense of disorder can be countered by the presence being grounded and making the client feel a safer experience.
Staying Present Without Overstepping.
In changing it should be available and not intrusive. The doula will be near and responsive, and to permit the client to go inward. This may involve physical and verbal step-back, and not losing a sense of support. Active intervention should not necessarily be part of being present.
This phase requires trust. Trust in the client process, in the development of the body, and in the ability to help without the need to do something. The doula avoids burdening the client by not attempting to right any wrongs or add anything the client might be left without in the quest to go through transition. Such inhibition may lead to more centralized and strengthened experience whereby the client experiences a sense of being contained and respected.
The only means of assisting a client in his/her transition and not to impose any sensory overload is to do this in a sophisticated and thoughtful manner. It is a process of watching, reorganizing and tend to do less rather than more.
Doula can help a client greatly without intimidating them by having the knowledge of greater sensitivity, the desire to make communication and touching easier, as well as by creating a relaxed environment. There must be silent confirmation and attendance in this step. Lastly, sources of support within the most efficient when moving through are trust and attunement.
The doula allows the experience to flow more easily by not making intrusions upon the client since she has to look inwardly, not trying to stimulate the client.
The support is not measured by what is taken but by the space that the doula takes is understandable, consistent and accountable during such periods.
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