What Is a "Doula"?
Doula is an ancient Greek word that means “woman servant” but is known today as a “birth coach/ companion.” Doulas are trained professionals who provide emotional, physical, and informational support before, during, and after birth; they do not provide medical care. Though their roles often blend together, there are two main types of doulas: birth doulas and postpartum doulas:
BIRTH DOULAS:
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Have knowledge and understanding of the biological aspects of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery, as well as the emotional needs of a woman during each of those phases.
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Help women (and their partners) prepare for birth as well as to clarify her birth wishes. This includes providing objective information so the she (or they) can make informed decisions.
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Support the woman (and her partner) continuously throughout labor with physical comfort measures, relaxation techniques, and emotional support.
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Facilitate communication between the laboring woman, her partner, and her care providers.
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Allow the woman's partner to participate at his/her comfort level.
POSTPARTUM DOULAS:
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Offer information, companionship & encouragement during the postpartum “fourth trimester.”
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Assist with baby care (including feeding support), family transition, light household tasks, meals, errands, etc.
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Offer evidence-based information on the physical & emotional recovery from birth, providing referrals as needed.
WHAT ARE THE CLINICAL BENEFITS OF HAVING A DOULA?
“In clinical studies, the best results occurred when women had continuous labor support from a doula – someone who was NOT a staff member at the hospital and who was NOT part of the woman’s social network. When labor support was provided by a doula, women experienced a:
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28% decrease in the risk of C-section
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31% decrease in the use of Pitocin
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9% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief
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14% decrease in the risk of newborns being admitted to a special care nursery
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34% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience”
Research data from The Cochran Review. To read a summary of the study findings, visit: evidencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-for-doulas/
PLUS - OTHER BENEFITS OF HAVING A DOULA:
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Having a doula takes pressure off mom's partner, freeing him/her up to be a loving support and be supported him/herself.
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You can call/text/email questions to your doula you wouldn’t want to bother your midwife/OB with.
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Written birth plans often go unread - doulas can help remind and encourage respect of those wishes.
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Doulas make great bouncers - they are committed to protecting your birth space before, during, and after baby arrives.
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Sometimes visitors who come to “help” are really more like guests - doulas can help alleviate some daily tasks so mom feels free to relax and enjoy the people who want to love on her and baby.
Additional resources on the nature of doulas & their many benefits can be found at the links below:
The American Pregnancy Association
DONA International's Essential Ingredient video
Happy Healthy Child doula video