What is a Doula?
The word "Doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning " a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.
Studies have shown that when doulas attend births, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily.
A Birth Doula:
~ Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life
~ Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a women in labor
~ Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for the birth
~ Stays with the woman through out the labor
~ Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information
she needs to make informed decisions
~Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers
~ Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the women's memory of the birth experience
~ Allows the woman's partner to participate at his comfort level
Studies have shown that when doulas attend births, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily.
A Birth Doula:
~ Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life
~ Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a women in labor
~ Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for the birth
~ Stays with the woman through out the labor
~ Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information
she needs to make informed decisions
~Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers
~ Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the women's memory of the birth experience
~ Allows the woman's partner to participate at his comfort level
