What Does a Doula Do?
The word DOULA is derived from the Greek word “doulos” which means to serve, servant or caregiver. Hence, “doula” is someone who serves or gives care to women.
Birth Doulas:
A commonly used definition for the birth doula is an experienced labor and delivery companion who provides continuous physical, emotional and spiritual support to the birthing woman and her partner. This is valuable for pain management; performing massage, recommending positions that assist the progress of labor and verbal encouragement to the mother as labor progresses.
The doula supports the mother’s beliefs and her desires for her childbirth experience and assists her in many ways as the labor unfolds. Although we know the beginning and the end result of labor, each individual birth has its own plan and unfolds in its own way. A doula offers supportive advice and encouragement to the woman and her partner, but as a birthing professional does not intrude on their experience. Private birth doulas usually meet with the couple during the pregnancy to begin building their relationship and discussing their upcoming birth.
A birth doula does not replace or remove the importance of the partner’s role in any way. It’s easy to understand the difficulty a partner may have remaining objective and calm while witnessing the discomfort, doubt and fears of labor. The desire to help is intensified by these emotions. With a doula present, the partner can be more emotionally available for her, possibly feeling less pressure to remember what to do from their childbirth classes. A doula can show the way, allowing the partner to be more present for the mother, the birth and the child. They become a team of sorts and work together to achieve the optimal outcome, a safe birth and a healthy baby. Many doulas will also take photographs of those precious first moments of baby’s life if a couple so wishes.
Typically, the doula will stay with the mother for a brief period after the birth of her child and will offer suggestions and assist with breastfeeding. She will help the mother and her partner as they are adjusting to parenthood by staying in touch during the first several weeks postpartum. Her doula presence is reassuring and comforting during this miraculous time.
The use of a doula has been linked with shorter labors, decreased incidence of postpartum depression, increased success with breastfeeding and greater overall satisfaction with the birth experience. If considering a private birth doula, it is encouraged that you meet with her prenatally to begin building the relationship and discussing the upcoming birth.
Consider asking some of the following questions when interviewing a birth doula:
• What training and education have you had?
• Are you a Certified Doula through any professional organization?
• What is you philosophy about supporting women and their partners through childbirth?
• When do you join women in labor?
• May we call you with questions or concerns before or after the birth?
• Do you meet with us after the birth to review the labor and answer any questions?
• Do you provide a backup doula for times when you are not available?
• What is your fee and what does it include?
• What are your refund policies?
Postpartum Doulas:
A postpartum doula is trained to work with the new family in the weeks after the birth experience, helping them to adjust to caring for their baby and their new roles as parents. A postpartum doula understands responsibilities that new parents face. She assists and encourages them during this transition, while respecting individual preferences as to how to care for the new baby. Typically, this type of doula is skilled in breastfeeding education and can be helpful with any problems that may arise.
Postpartum doulas are ideal for families in which:
• Mother or baby had complications during labor & delivery, or in the immediate postpartum period.
• Mother has a history of depression (postpartum or otherwise).
• There are multiple children.
• Mother has been having breastfeeding difficulty.