A birth doula is a professional whose honor it is to help families have the most satisfying birth possible –as each family defines it, leaving a positive birth memory behind.
“Doula”, originally a Greek word referencing an experienced woman who helps other women has come to mean a person experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support during the birth experience.
Each doula is unique in what she provides at the birth but usually she will help you with a variety of comfort techniques, optimal labor positioning, childbirth information, support of your birth wishes, a positive belief in you, and an extra pair of hands to give your partner a break or get items for you. Doulas may be trained in the use of massage, breathing techniques, relaxation, acupressure, hydrotherapy, hypnobirth, aromatherapy, physiologic positioning to enhance labor as well as anatomy and physiology of the childbirth process.
Unfortunately, though they may wish to, medical care providers may not always be able to remain by your side. Your doula is able to remain with you to provide her support continuously.
A doula does not:
- perform clinical tasks such as take blood pressure or give vaginal exams.
make decisions for you, but helps you to ask the right questions and make decisions for yourself.
- work against the better health wisdom for her client or create a confrontational environment.
- persuade you to her personal vision of what a birth “should” be, but provides education and supports your vision.
- A doula does not deliver babies.
Will the doula take the place of the husband or partner?
When the pressure is off the partner they can participate at their own comfort level. For a partner that would like to be highly involved in the labor and birth process, the doula can provide a “nest” for the couple or extended family to labor in. The doula can help coach the partner in assisting the laboring woman for those times that the couple can not remember everything that they learned in prenatal classes. She will also be able to bring new ideas. When the time comes for the partner to take a break, the doula can step in so that the laboring woman is never left alone.
Some partners prefer to be there only to witness the birth of their child and to share the experience with the woman they love. They may not want to play an active role or be responsible for the woman’s comfort and emotional security. In this case the doula can fill-in and allow the partner to participate as they wish; without leaving the woman’s needs unmet. Though, the doula may know more about labor support specifics than the partner. The partner’s love for the woman and presence is unique and irreplaceable.
Aren’t doulas just for those that are planning to have unmedicated vaginal births?
Since the core of the doula’s belief system is to make the very best birth experience for the woman, the doula can be a benefit regardless of the special circumstances surrounding a birth. Doulas have skills that make a difference at many types of births including: unmedicated birth, cesarean birth, teen birth, medicated births, victims of sexual abuse, VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean), birthing women with disabilities, home birth, and hospital birth – just to name a few circumstances.
How much does a doula’s service cost?
The cost of a doula varies and may depend on certification, experience or extended expertise. However, there are doulas for every budget. Please, don’t let financial concerns keep you from seeking doula care.
Studies have shown doulas to be effective.
The endorsement of doulas in maternity care is catching on quickly with the recognition of their important contribution. Twenty years of research and a multi-clinical trial study show that doulas have a significant impact on the birth process.
Doula care provides: *
50% reduction in the cesarean rate
25% shorter labors
60% reduction in epidural requests
40% reduction in oxytocin (pitocin) use
30% reduction in analgesia use
40% reduction in forceps delivery
It is important however, to point out that if a birthing facility has taken steps to reduce the cesarean rate the first percentage value may not be precise.
*Excerpted from Mothering the Mother: How a Doula can help you have a Shorter, Easier and Healthier Birth -Klaus, Kennell, and Klaus 1993
You deserve a doula!