Doulas

A doula is a professional trained in childbirth who provides emotional, physical and informational support to the woman who is expecting, in labor or has recently given birth. The doula's role is help women have a safe, memorable and empowering birthing experience.

The following has been adapted from the websites listed at the bottom of the page.

Many decisions need to be considered and made prior to the delivery of your baby. Prenatal testing, selecting a doctor  or midwife, whether to deliver in a hospital or in a birth center setting, and deciding who will be present during your baby's birth are among the more challenging decisions you will need to make.

Midwives and doulas have been serving other women in childbirth for centuries and have proven that this support from another woman has positive effects on the labor process.  The word "midwife" comes from Old English and means "with woman." The word doula comes from Greek, and refers to a woman who personally serves another woman. This page of the website deals with doulas and a companion page deals with midwives.

A doula is a professional, who has had training and experience in childbirth, who provides emotional, physical and informational support to the woman who is expecting, in labor or has recently given birth. The doula's role is help women have a safe, memorable and empowering birthing experience.

Types of doulas

Antepartum doulas provide help and support to the mom who has been put on bed rest or is experiencing a high risk pregnancy. They provide informational, emotional, physical and practical support in a situation that is often stressful, confusing and emotionally draining.

Labor support doulas are trained and experienced labor support persons who attend to the emotional and physical comfort needs of laboring women to smooth the labor process. They do not perform clinical tasks such as heart rate checks, or vaginal exams but rather use massage, aromatherapy, positioning suggestions, etc., to help labor progress as well as possible. A labor support doula joins a laboring woman either at her home or in hospital or birth center and remains with her until a few hours after the birth. In addition to emotional support, doulas work as advocates of their client’s wishes and may assist in communicating with medical staff to obtain information for the client to make informed decisions regarding medical procedures.

Postpartum doulas are trained to offer families evidence-based information and support on infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from childbirth, infant soothing and coping skills for new parents. They provide physical support by cleaning, cooking meals and filling in when mom needs a break, and they provide emotional support by encouraging a mom during those times when she feels overwhelmed.

Labor Support Doulas

Most often the word “doula” is referring to the birth doula, or labor support companion. For the following information, the word “doula” will be referring to the Labor Doula. Doulas can also be called labor companions, labor support specialist, labor support professional, birth assistants or labor assistants.

Most doula and client relationships begin a few months before the baby is due. During this time they establish a relationship that gives the mother complete freedom to ask questions, express fears and concerns, and take an active role in creating a birth plan.  Doulas do not provide any type of medical care. However, they are knowledgeable in the medical aspect of labor and delivery so they can help their clients get a better understanding of procedures and complications that may arise in late pregnancy or during delivery.

During delivery, a doula is in constant close proximity to the mother providing support and comfort. Doulas also encourage participation from the partner and offer reassurance. A doula acts as a silent advocate for the mother, encouraging her in her desires for her birth. The goal of a doula is to help the mother have a positive and safe birth experience, whether the mother wants an un-medicated birth or is having a planned cesarean birth.  After the birth, many labor doulas will spend a short time helping mothers begin the breastfeeding process and encourage bonding between the new baby and family members.

The role of the doula is never to take the place of the father or partner in labor, but to compliment and enhance their experience. While their respective roles are similar, the differences are crucial. The father or partner may be better able to provide continuous support but typically has little actual experience in dealing with the often-subtle forces of the labor process.  Even more important, many fathers experience the birth as an emotional journey of their own and find it hard to be objective in such a situation. Studies have shown that fathers usually participate more actively during labor with the presence of a doula than without one. A responsible doula supports and encourages the father in his support style rather than replaces him.  Doula's can encourage the father when to use comfort measures, and can step in when he needs a break. Having a doula allows the father to be able to support his wife emotionally during this process and also enjoy it himself without the pressure of having to remember and do everything that needs to be done.

Studies have found that when a doula is present, women have been less likely to have pain relief medications administered, less likely to have a cesarean birth, and reported having a more positive childbirth experience. Other studies have shown that having a doula as part of the birth team decreases the overall cesarean rate by 50%, the length of labor by 25%, the use of oxytocin by 40% and the request for an epidural by 60%.

Finding a Doula

The most important thing in deciding on a doula, is finding someone you feel comfortable with and confident in.  Most doulas do not charge for a free initial consultation and interview, so take the time to interview a couple until you find the one that meets your needs. Find a Doula in your area.  Note that in the United States and Canada, doulas are not required to be certified.