What is a doula?

dscf0382aBirth Doula Services

What is a doula?
A doula is an assistant that provides various forms of non-medical support (physical, emotional, and informational).

What does a doula do?

Recognizes childbirth as a key life experience that the mother will remember all her life

Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional need of a laboring woman

Assists the woman and her partner in preparing and planning for the birth

Provide continuous doula support throughout a woman’s labor and birth

Provides emotional support, physical comfort techniques and information so the mother to be can make informed choices.

Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and clinical care providers

Benefits of having a Doula:

~ 50% reduction in the cesarean rate

~ 25% shorter labor

~ 60% reduction in the epidural requests ~ 40% reduction in oxytocin use

~ 30% reduction in analgesia use

~ 40% reduction in forceps delivery

~ Increase in confidence of the father

~ Increased success in breastfeeding ~ Greater maternal satisfaction

Information was obtained from studies recorded in Mothering the Mother: How a Doula Can Help You Have a Shorter Easier and Healthier Birth, Klaus, Kennell, and Klaus (1993).

1031080920aPostpartum Doula Services

What is a Postpartum Doula?

A postpartum doula is an experienced woman who comes to the home of a new mom and provides educational, emotional and physical support in the weeks/months following birth. This allows the new mom to rest, bond with her baby and smoothly transition into her new role. Services offered are breastfeeding support, newborn care instruction, meal preparation, light housekeeping and laundry, errands, newborn and sibling care, emotional support, information and referrals.

The presence of a postpartum doula can reduce the incidence of postpartum depression,increase the rate of successful breastfeeding, and enhance all relationships in the family as they welcome their new little one.

For more information about the benefits of a postpartum doula, please go to the DONA (Doulas of North America) website to read their position paper on this topic: dona.org/publications/position_paper_postpartum.php