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2. What effects does the presence of a doula have on the mother? When a doula is present during and after childbirth, women report greater satisfaction with their birth experience, make more positive assessments of their babies, have fewer cesareans and requests for medical intervention, and less postpartum depression. 3. What effects do the presence of doulas have on babies? Studies have shown that babies born with doulas present tend to have shorter hospital stays with fewer admissions to special care nurseries, breastfeed more easily and have more affectionate mothers in the postpartum period. 4. How can I find a doula in my area? Use DONA International�s online doula locator 5. How do doulas practice? Doulas practice in three ways: privately hired directly by clients, as hospital employees, and as volunteers in community or hospital programs. 6. Does a doula replace nursing staff? No. Doulas do not replace nurses or other medical staff. Doulas do not perform clinical or medical tasks such as taking blood pressure or temperature, monitoring fetal heart rate, doing vaginal examinations or providing postpartum clinical care. They are there to comfort and support the mother and to enhance communication between the mother and medical professionals. 7. Does a doula make decisions on my behalf? A doula does not make decisions for clients or intervene in their clinical care. She provides informational and emotional support, while respecting a woman�s decisions. 8. Will a doula make my partner feel unnecessary? No, a doula is supportive to both the mother and her partner, and plays a crucial role in helping a partner become involved in the birth to the extent he/she feels comfortable. 9. How long does a postpartum doula spend with a family? Doula support can last anywhere from one or two visits to more than three months. 10. What hours can I expect a doula to work with my family? Some doulas work fulltime, with 9 to 5 shifts. Others work three to five hour shifts during the day, or after school shifts until Dad gets home. Some doulas work evenings from around 6 pm until bedtime, 9 or 10 pm., and some work overnight. Some doulas work every day, some work one or more shifts per week. 11. What is the difference between a postpartum doula and a baby nurse? The role of a postpartum doula is to help a woman through her postpartum period and to nurture the family. Unlike a baby nurse, a doula�s focus is not solely on the baby, but on fostering independence for the entire family. The doula is as available to the father and older children as to the mother and the baby. Treating the family as a unit that is connected and always changing enables doulas to do their job: nurture the family. 12. What is a postpartum doula�s goal? The goal of a doula is to nurture the parents into their new roles. As they experience success and their knowledge and self-confidence grow, their needs for professional support should diminish. 13. How does a doula nurture the parents into their roles? Self-confidence has a tremendous impact on a person�s ability to approach any task, and parenting is no different. DONA International doulas are taught to always consider parents� feelings and always build confidence whenever possible. Doulas accomplish this through praise, acceptance and a non-judgmental approach. In addition, the doula will teach parents strategies and skills that will improve their ability to bond with their babies. A calm baby who is growing well will help parents to feel more confident in their skills. 14. Do doulas help mothers to deal with postpartum depression? Unlike therapists or psychiatrists, doulas do not treat postpartum depression. However, they will help by creating a safe place for the mother emotionally. The doula will provide a cushioning effect by accepting the mother within each stage that she passes through. They relieve some of the pressure on the new mother by helping her move into her new responsibilities gradually. By mothering the mother, doulas maks sure that the mother feels nurtured and cared for, as well as making sure she is eating well and getting enough sleep. In addition, DONA International certified postpartum doulas are trained to help clients prepare themselves for parenthood, maximizing support and rest. These doulas will help their clients to screen themselves for PPMDs and will make referrals to appropriate clinicians or support groups as needed. 15. How do postpartum doulas work with a mother�s partner? A doula respects the partner�s role and input, and teaches concrete skills that will help the partner nurture the baby and mother. The doula will share evidence-based information with the partner that shows how his or her role in the early weeks will have a dramatic positive effect on the family. **Information on this page is from DONA.org** |
| Common Questions |
| 1. What effects does the presence of a doula have on birth outcomes? 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 one�s childbirth experience reduces the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction reduces the requests for pain medication and epidurals, as well as the incidence of cesareans |
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