What is a Doula?
The word “doula” comes from ancient Greek and is now used to refer to a woman who helps other women. It has
been applied to childbirth to refer to “a woman experienced in childbirth.”
A postpartum doula provides care to a family with a newborn baby.
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
A birth 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 care providers…
- Perceives her role as one who nurtures and protects the woman’s memory of her birth experience…
Role of the Doula:
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 In nearly every culture
throughout history, women have been surrounded and cared for by other women during childbirth. Artistic
representations of birth throughout the world usually include at least two other women, surrounding and
supporting the birthing woman. One of these women is the midwife, who is responsible for the safe passage of the
mother and baby; the other woman or women are behind or beside the mother, holding and comforting her. The
modern doula is a manifestation of the woman beside the mother.
Doulas are trained and experienced in childbirth, although they may or may not have given birth themselves.
The doula's role is to provide physical, emotional, and informational support to women and their partners during
labor and birth. The doula offers help and advice on comfort measures such as breathing, relaxation, movement
and positioning. She also assists families to gather information about the course of their labor and their options.
Perhaps the most crucial role of the doula is providing continuous emotional reassurance and comfort. Doulas
specialize in non-medical skills and do not perform clinical tasks. Doulas do not diagnose medical conditions, offer
second opinions, or give medical advice. Most importantly, doulas do not make decisions for their clients; they do
not project their own values and goals onto the laboring woman. The doula's goal is to help the woman have as
safe and satisfying childbirth as the woman defines it. When a doula is present, some women feel less need for
pain medications, or may postpone them until later in labor;or none at all. However, many women choose or need
pharmacological pain relief. It is not the role of the doula to discourage the mother from her choices. The doula
helps her become informed about various options, including the risks, benefits and accompanying precautions or
interventions for safety. The comfort and reassurance offered by the doula are beneficial regardless of the use of
pain medications.
Babies Are Blessings
Doula Services
