A birth doula is a person trained and experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informaitonal support to the mother before, during, and just after childbirth. A doula anticipates the mother's needs and attends to them. A doula does NOT make decisions for the parents but, rather, helps them to make informed decisions.
What does the word "doula" mean?
"Doula" is a Greek word meaning "servant".
What is the difference between a doula and a midwife?
Doulas do not provide medical care, and do not deliver babies. Midwives are trained to provide all necessary medical care and ensure the health and well-being of you and your baby. Doulas work as a part of the team, with a midwife or doctor and nurse. Doulas provide continuous emotional and physical support to the laboring woman and her partner, and are a positive addition to the birth team for those couples who desire extra support. Certified doulas do not provide any kind of medical care. For instance, they would not listen to the baby’s heart beat or do a vaginal exam or deliver the baby. Doula care has been shown to improve outcomes for both moms and babies in many studies.
Does the doula replace the father/partner?
The doula is a part of a team. The doula is there in addition to, not instead of, the partner. Ideally, the doula, the birth partner and the hospital staff make the perfect support team for the new mother.
The father-to-be or partner is expected, among other things, to become familiar with the process and language of birth, to understand medical procedures and hospital protocols and to advocate for his partner in an environment and culture that he is usually unfamiliar with. A doula can relieve some of the pressure associated with his role. She is not emotionally attached and can be more objective. A doula can make suggestions for the partner on ways to truly help the mother.
The partner’s presence and loving support in childbirth is comforting and reassuring. The love he shares with the mother and his child, his need to nurture and protect his family, are priceless gifts that only he can provide. With her partner and a Doula at her birth, a mother can have the best of both worlds; her partner’s loving care and attention and the Doula’s experience, expertise and guidance in childbirth.
I have found a lot of the father's to be my biggest supporters after the birth, truly appreciative!
Why do I need a doula in the hospital with nurses and hospital staff?
During labor you will likely not see your doctor unless there are complications. The doctor on call is in contact with your nurse during labor and usually arrives shortly before your baby is ready to be born. Nurses are invaluable during birth, providing the care and expertise they have been trained for. But in today’s hospitals nurses are very busy as they are doing more work in fewer hours than ever before. It is not uncommon for one nurse to be in charge of three or more mothers in various stages of labor, making their availability very limited. Getting to know your nurse takes a bit of time and during labor this can be quite difficult. This coupled with shift changes, can make an otherwise great birth marred by disruptions. It is also well documented that disruptions, whether that be the arrival at the hospital, changes in shifts or attendance of your birth by another caregiver can slow and even stop labor. Doulas are trained to provide the vital supportive care you need throughout your labor and in dealing with the disruptions common in hospitals, providing the continuity so vital in keeping your labor progressing.
Doulas do not replace nurses or other medical staff. Doulas do not perform clinical or medical tasks such as taking blood pressure or temperature, monitoring fetal heart rate, doing vaginal examinations or providing postpartum clinical care.
Your Doula’s only responsibility is to you and she will remain with you at all times during your labor and birth. Your Doula will have met you and your partner several times before the birth, unlike the nurses at the hospital who will usually be meeting you for the first time. You will have chosen your Doula based on her personality and how well she matches your philosophy. Your Doula will work with your caregivers to strive for the best possible labor and birth experience.
I plan to use an epidural/pain medicaiton, why have a doula?
- Most of the time you will do some laboring before an epidural is administered
- Occasionally the anesthesiologist is unavailable for a period of time
Although epidurals are effective relieving pain most of the time, there are things your epidural cannot do for you.
Your epidural will not:
- Give you a massage
- Explain what is happening
- Inform you on your options
- Get you ice chips / wet washcloth / chapstick
- Give your partner a break or pick up dinner for him
- Be reassuring and nurturing
- Play music
- Help you with breathing
- Help you with pushing
- Help you with breastfeeding
- Take photographs or video
What if I cannot afford doula services? Please talk to me regarding my sliding scale and payment options.
Here are some additional FAQ pages from other sources:
