What is a birth doula? The term “birth doula” refers to a supportive companion (other than a friend or loved one) who is professionally trained to provide non-medical labor and delivery support. A doula performs no clinical tasks and is not to be confused with the attending doctor, midwife and/or nursing staff. What does a birth doula do? A birth doula provides physical, emotional, and informational support to women and their partners during pregnancy, labor and birth. She offers help and advice on comfort measures such as breathing, relaxation, massage and positioning. She provides assistance to families in gathering information about the course of their labor and their options, both prior to and during labor and delivery. During labor and delivery the birth doula is a source of continuous emotional reassurance and comfort and can help explain medical procedures and their usefulness. Nursing staff often attends to more than one mother in labor at a time, and therefore is often absent for long periods of time. A birth doula supports the mother (and birth partner) through the entire labor and delivery. During labor and delivery birth doulas offer nonmedical skills such as massage, counterpressure and other comfort and pain relief measures. The birth doula works with the mother and birth partner, using numerous proven breathing, positioning and movement techniques. A birth doula is also trained to provide any needed assistance to partners who want to play an active support role. Must I have a non-medicated birth with a birth doula? A birth doula can provide support for any type of birth: medicated or unmedicated, vaginal or c-section. Your doula is comfortable working in any setting: in a hospital along side your regular doctor or midwife, in a birth center, or at a home birth. A birth doula can help the couple navigate any unforeseen events and support the mother in deviating from her birth plan when necessary. A birth doula never imposes her own beliefs. Your birth doula recognizes that this is not just another day, but one that you will remember for the rest of your life. All said and done, the birth doula’s charter is to support you in experiencing a safe and satisfying birth so you retain a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment from your birthing experience. Will the birth doula be redundant to my partner? A birth doula does not replace the role of your chosen birthing partner. The role of the birth doula is to assist and support the mother and her partner in achieving their birthing goals. The birth doula works very closely with any other coach present, and uses her training to assist and empower the birth partner to be actively present during the labor and delivery. The birth doula remains focused on the needs of the mother even at the end of the birth when all other eyes turn to the baby being born. How does a doula work with hospital staff? A doula is not there to take the place of the healthcare team. Primary care providers are responsible for the medical health needs of the mother and baby. A doula helps ensure that the mother’s non-medical needs are also met. Doulas do not perform any medical or clinical procedures. A doula provides constant care throughout the entire labor and delivery, and for several hours postpartum. Doulas act as a liaison with the medical staff, but do not make decisions for the mother. How are doulas trained? Doula training covers the anatomy and physiology of labor, as well as techniques for providing physical and emotional support to women in childbirth. Certification is through several different doula organizations and usually requires observation of a series of childbirth classes, seminar training, background reading, a written exam or essay, and positive evaluations from doctors, nurses, midwives, and clients. What are the benefits of having a doula? Research shows that childbirth goes more smoothly with a doula present: - 50% reduction in the cesarean rate
- 25% shorter labor
- 60% reduction in epidural requests
- 40% reduction in oxytocin use
- 30% reduction in analgesia use
- 40% reduction in forceps delivery
| 