A doula recognizes that a birth is a key experience that a women will remember for the rest of her life. She also facilitates communication with medical staff. A doula works to preserve the memory of the birth for the laboring mother.
Labor support can be challenging especially without the proper training. We expect the birth partner or coach to be able to give emotional support while helping the laboring women to the toilet, remembering different laboring and pushing positions, knowing when she needs ice, when she wants a blanket, vomit dish or hand massage. He must also know Obstetric terminology, be able to make quick pressured decisions and be a leader. He must never tire or be queasy. And this all needs to be done in a calm, agreeable manner with nothing to eat and too little sleep. This is where a doula comes in. She never replaces a coach or partner instead she enhances the team. A doula can provide experience and training specifically for labor support. A Birth Doula: *Provides information and resources for pregnancy, labor, birth, postpartum, breastfeeding and parenting *Recognizes birth as a significant experience that a woman remembers for the rest of her life *Assists the woman and her partner in preparing for the birth, helps them understand the birth process and helps them adequatley plan. *Provides continuous physical, emotional and educational support throughout labor birth and immediatley after. *Assists with such comfort measures as massage, relaxation, breathing, and postiion changes (using a labor ball, tub or shower, walking etc.) *Provides postpartum follow-up to review the labor and answer questions. Advantages of Having a Doula at Your Birth *50% decrease in C-sections *60% decrease in epidural use *30 % decrease in length of labor *30% decrease in use of forceps *40% decrease in use of pitocin Additional Benefits *Improved breastfeeding success *Decreased postpartum depression *Greater maternal satisfaction with birth experience *Better mother-infant interaction **"Mothering the Mother", Klaus MH, Kennell JH, Klaus PH,Addison Publishing Company, 1993 |