What Exactly is a Birth Doula?
A question I get asked very often when I mention my career…
While every doula is unique, there is a basic set of skills that your birth doula will use to provide support for you and your growing family; then she will add her magic touch!
During Pregnancy, a Doula…
Will meet with a client a few times in order to get acquainted and comfortable.
Helps understand the birth process.
Answers questions about pregnancy, labor and delivery procedures, interventions and possible obstacles.
Assists you in learning pain relief techniques in order to prepare for labor, such as massage and relaxation techniques.
Assists in developing a unique and detailed birth plan.
During Labor, a Doula…
Stays with their client to provide emotional and physical comfort and support for both partners.
Assists in getting into comfortable positions and staying active.
Makes sure you get enough fluids and nutrition.
Can use aromatherapy, massage, touch techniques and more to help with relaxation and rest.
Can assist in communicating preferences to the medical staff.
After Delivery, a Doula…
Makes sure their client is comfortable, catching up on rest, eating and re-hydrating.
Answers questions in regard to newborn care.
Can assist with breastfeeding.
Provides encouragement and support upon preparing to bring their clients' baby home.
Supports the partner and siblings in developing ways to help you! (After all, it takes a village!)
Definition(s) of a Birth Doula:
Oxford Dictionary Definition: a person, usually a woman, whose role is to give support, help and advice to a woman who is having a baby.
My Definition: A doula is a non-medical professional who offers emotional, physical, informational and sometimes spiritual support during pregnancy and childbirth to help families achieve the most informed, healthy and spiritually fulfilling birth journey possible.
From unmedicated home births to cesareans, and everything in between, your birth doula will be there for you as your ally and a valuable member of your birth team. It is your doula’s role to help you fulfill your unique desires as much as possible during a time of intimacy and vulnerability.
A doula’s role is not to take the place of your partner or other family members, but to compliment the experience and enhance your birthing journey.
Birth is a unique and unpredictable experience for every individual. Sometimes, medical interventions and cesareans are medically necessary for the birthing parent and baby. These unplanned and unforeseen experiences can leave a new mother and family feeling disappointed, unprepared and alone. A doula will provide emotional, informational, physical and if preferred, spiritual support to maneuver through the new family’s emotions as they process their experience.
Benefits of Having a Birth Doula:
Many studies have shown higher rates of women reporting “positive birth experiences” when they had a birth doula present for their labor. Simply typing into Google “Benefits of Birth Doulas”, a plethora of studies, research, and experiences are there for you!
With the support of a Birth Doula, there is:
10% decrease in the use of pain medications
15% increase in likelihood of spontaneous vaginal birth
41 minute shorter length of labor
39% decrease in cesareans rates
Reduced needs for medical interventions
**A quick list of things Doula’s DO NOT do:
Perform clinical tasks
Offer medical advice
Judge choices or push a personal agenda
Create hostile environments or barriers between nurses and patients.
Micro-manage the families birth experience or attempt to take the place of partner/family members.
THERE IS A DOULA FOR YOU!
Usually before signing on with a doula you will meet with them to get acquainted. DO NOT feel discouraged if the first doula you meet is not a match made by the universe! They will not take offense, and more than likely will assist you in contacting other doulas in your area that may be a better fit.
