"just as a woman's heart knows how and when to pump, her lungs to inhale, and her hand to pull back from a fire, so she knows when and how to give birth." -Virginia Di Orio
What is a Doula?
The word Doula (doo-la) comes from Greek and is translated to "woman servant." A Doula is a professionally trained, non-medical person who assists a woman physically and emotionally during childbirth. She provides information so that the mother may make informed decisions during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum.
A Birth Doula Provides
Continuous physical, emotional, and informational support before, during, and after childbirth
Support from a professional who understands and trusts the birth process
Explanations of medical procedures and interventions
Emotional support
Advice during pregnancy
Help with birth plan preparation
Facilitation of communication between the mother's birth team
Non-medical pain relief
Position suggestions throughout labor
Support to the partner so that they are able to support the mother
Advice to help avoid unnecessary interventions
Help with initiation and continuation of breastfeeding
Benefits of a Doula
(from Mothering the Mother: How a Doula Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier and Healthier Birth, Klaus, Kennell, & Klaus 1993) ~
50% reduction in cesarean rate
25% shorter labor
60% reduction in epidural request
40% reduction in pitocin use
30% reduction in analgesia use
40% reduction in forceps delivery
Research show that parents who receive support can:
Feel more secure and cared for
Are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics
Have greater success with breastfeeding
Have greater self-confidence
Have less postpartum depression
Have lower incidence of abuse
Why Hire a Doula?
You may wonder why you need a Doula when you have such a wonderful midwife or a doctor. Consider the following-
Your Doula is available by phone and email 24/7 no matter what.
She is with you from the time you invite her to your labor until you are settled in with your new little bundle. She makes at least one postpartum visit to you at your home.
She is there to do all the miscellaneous tasks such as massaging you, guiding your partner to help you, getting you wet wash clothes to cool you, even getting your partner coffee while your care provider is listening to fetal heart tones or examining you. Also, if your care provider is catching baby, who will help hold your leg or brush your hair out of your face?
Your care provider is wonderful and your Doula is not there to take his or her place. She is there as a part of the team to comfort you and to create a loving environment to bring your baby into this world.
When looking for a Doula
The most important thing when finding a Doula is to find someone you connect with. You will be spending a lot of time with each other and she will be part of a special and intimate time so be sure she is someone you'd like to share it with. Find your perfect match by insuring that you both share a similar birth philosophy. Make sure she understands and respects your desires and isn't out to push her agenda on you. Be sure she is available for your due date and if she isn't, can she recommend someone else? Does she have a backup? Don't be afraid to talk about financial arrangements because most, if not all Doula's, are very willing to accommodate the mother and father's financial situation. Remember that experience varies. You will find Doula's that have attended many births, Doula's that have never attended a birth, Doula's just beginning with only a birth or few births, some with children, and some that have never had a child. The most experienced Doula was once where the beginner Doula is now. It's what is in the heart of the Doula that matters most.
The word Doula (doo-la) comes from Greek and is translated to "woman servant." A Doula is a professionally trained, non-medical person who assists a woman physically and emotionally during childbirth. She provides information so that the mother may make informed decisions during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum.
A Birth Doula Provides
Continuous physical, emotional, and informational support before, during, and after childbirth
Support from a professional who understands and trusts the birth process
Explanations of medical procedures and interventions
Emotional support
Advice during pregnancy
Help with birth plan preparation
Facilitation of communication between the mother's birth team
Non-medical pain relief
Position suggestions throughout labor
Support to the partner so that they are able to support the mother
Advice to help avoid unnecessary interventions
Help with initiation and continuation of breastfeeding
Benefits of a Doula
(from Mothering the Mother: How a Doula Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier and Healthier Birth, Klaus, Kennell, & Klaus 1993) ~
50% reduction in cesarean rate
25% shorter labor
60% reduction in epidural request
40% reduction in pitocin use
30% reduction in analgesia use
40% reduction in forceps delivery
Research show that parents who receive support can:
Feel more secure and cared for
Are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics
Have greater success with breastfeeding
Have greater self-confidence
Have less postpartum depression
Have lower incidence of abuse
Why Hire a Doula?
You may wonder why you need a Doula when you have such a wonderful midwife or a doctor. Consider the following-
Your Doula is available by phone and email 24/7 no matter what.
She is with you from the time you invite her to your labor until you are settled in with your new little bundle. She makes at least one postpartum visit to you at your home.
She is there to do all the miscellaneous tasks such as massaging you, guiding your partner to help you, getting you wet wash clothes to cool you, even getting your partner coffee while your care provider is listening to fetal heart tones or examining you. Also, if your care provider is catching baby, who will help hold your leg or brush your hair out of your face?
Your care provider is wonderful and your Doula is not there to take his or her place. She is there as a part of the team to comfort you and to create a loving environment to bring your baby into this world.
When looking for a Doula
The most important thing when finding a Doula is to find someone you connect with. You will be spending a lot of time with each other and she will be part of a special and intimate time so be sure she is someone you'd like to share it with. Find your perfect match by insuring that you both share a similar birth philosophy. Make sure she understands and respects your desires and isn't out to push her agenda on you. Be sure she is available for your due date and if she isn't, can she recommend someone else? Does she have a backup? Don't be afraid to talk about financial arrangements because most, if not all Doula's, are very willing to accommodate the mother and father's financial situation. Remember that experience varies. You will find Doula's that have attended many births, Doula's that have never attended a birth, Doula's just beginning with only a birth or few births, some with children, and some that have never had a child. The most experienced Doula was once where the beginner Doula is now. It's what is in the heart of the Doula that matters most.
