What is a Doula and why do I need one?

In nearly every culture throughout history, women have been surrounded and cared for by other women during and immediately after childbirth. Artistic representations of birth throughout the world usually include at least two other women surrounding and supporting the birthing woman. One of these is the midwife, who is responsible for the safe passage of the mother and baby; the other women are behind or beside the mother, holding her and comforting her. The modern birth doula is a manifestation of the woman beside the mother.

The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek word meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, informational, and nurturing support to a mother before, during, and immediately after birth; or who provide emotional and practical support during the ante or postpartum periods.

Birth Doulas assist women and couples during pregnancy and birth, and specialize in non-medical skills. Doulas do not perform clinical tasks such as vaginal exams, fetal heart monitoring, or diagnosing medical conditions. The doula's goal is to help the woman have a safe, satisfying childbirth as she defines it. Doulas do not make decisions or project their own goals and values onto the laboring mother.
     A birth doula:

•  recognizes birth as a key experience a mother will remember for the rest of her life
• understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a laboring mother
• assists mothers in preparing for and carrying out her birth plans
• stays with the mother throughout the labor
• provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, and an objective, informational viewpoint as she makes informed decisions regarding her labor and delivery
• facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner, and her clinical care providers
• perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience
• allows the mother's partner to participate at his or her comfort level

Evidence shows these skills are medically proven to make a true difference in the experience of birth, decreasing interventions and cesareans, increasing maternal satisfaction, shortening neonate hospital stays, reducing NICU admissions, and increasing the occurrence of successful breastfeeding and bonding experiences between mother and child.

For Partners:
     A doula can help partners share in the birth experience at a more comfortable level, including offering guidance and making suggestions for physical comfort measures. With doula support, fathers tend to stay more involved with their parters rather than pull away in times of stress. The doula's skills and knowledge can help him feel more relaxed and can provide guidance to help him take a more active role in offering physical support if desired.        

 DONA Interantional