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The word Doula comes from ancient Greek culture. A Doula is a woman who has personally experienced the birthing process so she is able to provide realistic emotional and physical support during
pregnancy, labor, birth and the postpartum period. She does not take the place of the father's support during this time, but advocates for both mother and father so that their birth wishes can be achieved. A Doula will
care for the mother and make her as comfortable as possible. She will wrap her in a cocoon of warmth and support and help her feel safe so that she will get be able to labor more easily.
A Doula is trained in childbirth and breastfeeding although she is not a midwife. Her primary role is to give emotional and physical reassurance during birth. She is willing and able to work with you and your partner
to help you experience the birth that you desire. Doula support enhances the well-being of the mother and her baby, leading to fewer medical interventions during labor and delivery. A Doula helps the mother through postpartum
procedures and early breastfeeding. She offers moral support and encouragement. Recovering from childbirth while getting to know your new baby can be very challenging.
A Doula will help you and your family navigate the transistions and experience the joys and pleasure of this new life given to your care.
The essence of supportive labor care is a caring heart. In fact it is essential in providing the type of atmosphere that enables the pregnant woman to feel safe enough
to surrender to the natural forces of labor and allow her baby to be born. Soulful, heart-filled caring brings back humanity and kindness to a birth process that has, in recent years, been
dominated by machines, tubes and wires. A Doula helps keep the sacred heart of natural birth alive. With a caring disposition we take on the job of being a guardian of normal birth.
A Doula...
 recognizes birth as a key life experience, understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of each woman in labor.
stays by your side throughout the labor, delivery and postpartum period.
believes in a woman's innate knowledge of her body, her labor and her baby. She helps women trust their inborn knowledge.
helps women discover and draw on their inner strength to do their very best and be proud of their
effort.
reminds each woman to trust in her own body to know how to birth, believing labor and birth is a normal physiological process.
provides support and encouragement for both the mother and father (or partner) as they
birth their baby.
seeks to empower her clients with knowledge of the birth process in all it's variations while respecting the integrity of having choices.
is an advocate for the woman and can facilitate communication with the medical staff.
recommends a variety of labor coping skill and laor management techniques, reminding
their options.
strives to maintain a calm atmosphere which includes lighting and music.
fully understands the impact the birth experience can have on a woman's life.
seeks to cultivate a woman's positive memory of her birth experience which rewards her with
feelings of accomplishment.
A Doula provides:
undivided attention.
explanations of medical procedures.
emotional support and verbal affirmations.
advice during pregnancy.
an exercise plan and suggestions to make pregnancy more comfortable.
help with preparation of a birth plan.
non-pharmacological pain relief such as massage, autogenic therapy,
yoga, visualization imagery, meditation, relaxation techniques.
position suggesitons during labor and for birth.
support for the father (partner) so that they can confidantly encourage the laboring woman.
advice to help avoid unnecessary interventions.
help with breastfeeding preparation and lactation support.
a written record of the birth. She can even help create a photographic keepsake for the family.
The Doula's Role:
The role of a Doula during the first prenatal visit is to meet with the family and have them get to know her. The Doula
gathers information that will help her learn about the family, what their expectations are, and what kind of birth
plan they wish to prepare. She will also discuss any past experiences that might influence the outcome of this birth, what
type of prenatal care the mother has chosen, and who will be attending the birth. Will the family use an Obstetrician or Midwife?
Meetings may take place in your home, at the midwife's or doctor's office or any place that is comfortable for you. Her role is
to spend enough time with the family so she can effectively work with them and any other caregivers who will attend the birth.
Her role at the hospital or birthing center, is to introduce herself to those who do not know her and immediately establish a working relationship.
The Doula must sometimes walk a fine line between getting along with the staff and simply being an advocate for the birthing family.
She will strive to create a level of calmness in the birth setting that will allow the mother to choose what she needs to feel comfortable.
The Doula will assess the needs of the family and the facility to determine the best way to support the mother and father. She will assist the family in
implementing their birth plan. At all times she will help create a positive, cooperative and soothing environment.
During early labor, the role of a Doula is to help the family feel relaxed and comfortable with the beginning stage of labor.
Many times she will assist them in making choices such as which birthing therapy will be more beneficial during each stage
of labor; preparing the room for either a homebirth, birthing center or hospital birth; informing the midwife/doctor and
empower them both with the knowledge that they are coping well with early labor and will continue to do so.
The Doula offers guidelines on what the family should be noticing. Her role is not to diminish the importance of the
beginning of labor or to intensify the level of excitement already present.
A Doula will use many different techniques to help a birthing woman cope with the process of labor. These may include,
aromatherapy, acupressure, massage, breathing techniques, visualization and relaxation techniques, music therapy, hydrotherapy,
reflexology, neuromuscular dissociation, as well as some unique tools (i.e., a hot filled sock, rolling pin, lambskin
duster, ice pack, yoga ball). Other comfort techniques she can teach are "slow dancing"; the double hip squeeze, the knee press, the lunge, the dangle,
pelvic circles and the abdominal lift. Whatever the woman feels she may need the Doula will provide to the best of her ability.
But most of all, the Doula's role is to believe in the mother's ability to give birth naturally.
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