The word, "doula," comes from the Greek word for the most important female slave or servant in an ancient Greek household, the woman who probably helped the lady of the house through her childbearing. The word has come to refer to "a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth." (Klaus, Kennell and Klaus, Mothering the Mother)
A Doula...
Recognizes birth as a key life experience that the mother will remember all her life...
Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor...
Assists the woman and her partner in preparing for and carrying out their plans for the birth...
Stays by the side of the laboring woman throughout the entire labor...
Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, an objective viewpoint and assistance to the woman in getting the information she needs to make good decisions...
Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and clinical careproviders...
Perceives her role as one who nutures and protects the woman's memory of her birth experience.
The acceptance of doulas in maternity care is growing rapidly with the recognition of their important contribution to the improved physical outcomes and emotional well-being of mothers and infants.
Labor Doulas Provide-
CONSTANT support throughout early labor, birth & immediatly after birth. Also, help with comfort techniques such as position change, accupressure, counter pressure, breathing, visualization, relaxation, massage, & other emotional & physical comfort measures.
Other things a doula helps with are:
Preparing & carrying out your plans for birth, assisting in communication skills to use with your birthing team, & providing information & resources as needed.
Studies show the benefits of a doula to be:
60% decrease in requests for Epidural
50% decrease in Cesareans
50% decrease in use of Oxytocin (Pitocin)
40% decrease in requests for pain medications
30% decrease in use of forceps
25% decrease in length of labor.
Information obtained from Mothering the Mother by Klaus, Klaus & Kennell (1993)
Long term benefits include:
Improved breastfeeding, enhanced bonding, decreased postpartum depression, and more confidence in the mother. Doulas help you achieve your desired birth experience.
Postpartum doulas...
Provide breastfeeding support & advice, emotional support, infant care while mother rests, sibling care while mother & baby rest, light housekeeping, simple meal preparation & other negotiable services.
~Courtesy of Blessed Beginnings
