What is a doula?
A doula is a non-medical, trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support before, during and sometimes after birth. The word doula comes from ancient Greek and means “woman’s servant.”
According to the DONA International website (http://www.dona.org), numerous clinical studies have found that a doula’s presence at birth tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications, reduces negative feelings about childbirth, reduces the need for pitocin, forceps or vacuum extractions and reduces the requests for pain medication, epidurals as well as cesareans.
A doula often:
- Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth
- Stays with the woman throughout labor
- Provides emotion support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint
- Get the information she needs to make an informed decision
- Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care
providers
- Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman’s memory of the birth experience
Doula’s do not replace Dad’s or partners… they help him/her, help you! Dad or partner is welcome to be as involved as he/she feels comfortable. The doula and the partner both work together to contribute in unique ways to give the laboring mother a comfortable, well-rounded, safe and secure atmosphere in which to labor and give birth.
According to the DONA International website (http://www.dona.org), numerous clinical studies have found that a doula’s presence at birth tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications, reduces negative feelings about childbirth, reduces the need for pitocin, forceps or vacuum extractions and reduces the requests for pain medication, epidurals as well as cesareans.
A doula often:
- Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth
- Stays with the woman throughout labor
- Provides emotion support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint
- Get the information she needs to make an informed decision
- Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care
providers
- Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman’s memory of the birth experience
Doula’s do not replace Dad’s or partners… they help him/her, help you! Dad or partner is welcome to be as involved as he/she feels comfortable. The doula and the partner both work together to contribute in unique ways to give the laboring mother a comfortable, well-rounded, safe and secure atmosphere in which to labor and give birth.
