What is a doula? What does a doula do, and why should you work with one?
The word “doula” comes from the ancient Greek meaning “a woman who serves” and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.
What are the benefits of working with a doula?
Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily.
Why should you work with a doula?
A doula recognizes birth as a key experience the parents will remember all their life
They understand the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a person in labor
A doula will assist the person giving birth and their partner in preparing for and carrying out their plans
Doulas will stay with the mother throughout the labor
They provide emotional support, physical comfort measures, and an objective viewpoint, as well as, helping the person in labor and their partner get the information they need to make informed decisions
Doulas facilitate communication between the laboring person, their partner, and their clinical care providers
Doulas perceive their role as nurturing and protecting the parents’ memory of the birth experience
Allows the partner to participate at their comfort level
A birth doula certified by DONA International is designated by the initials CD (DONA). In addition to my DONA certification, I am also a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), trained in Childbirth Education, Spinning Babies, and Evidence-Based Birth techniques.a
A doula does more than attend births…
A postpartum doula
Research evidence shows that the quality services of a postpartum doula can ease the transition that comes with the addition of a baby to a family, improve parental satisfaction and reduce the risk of mood disorders.
A postpartum doula also offers education, companionship, and nonjudgmental support during the postpartum fourth trimester. As your postpartum doula I will…
Assist with newborn care, family adjustment, meal preparation, and light household tidying
Offer evidence-based information on infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from birth, infant soothing and coping skills for new parents and makes appropriate referrals when necessary
Research evidence shows that the quality services of a postpartum doula can ease the transition that comes with the addition of a baby to a family, improve parental satisfaction and reduce the risk of mood disorders.
