What is a Doula?

What is a doula?

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 and father during pregnancy and birth. A doula is knowledgeable about the entire birth process and understands how important birth is in the life of the expectant couple.

A doula’s role prenatally

Before the birth, a doula plays an invaluable role working with the mother and father (or another birth companion) to prepare for the birth and postpartum period. Meeting with a doula prior to the birth allows the mother and father to discuss their desires, hopes, fears and concerns for the upcoming birth. A doula is an unbiased support person who encourages the mother and father to grow closer together as they make a plan for their birth that gives them confidence. A doula works with you and your birth companion to make a birth plan, offers suggestions for effective communication with your care provider, practices pain coping techniques together, and has access to a wealth of resources within the birth community that can benefit you during your pregnancy.

A doula’s role during birth for the mother

During the birth, a doula’s primary concern is the mother’s emotional and physical well being. While nurses and doctors may come and go during labor, a doula remains by the mother’s side as her continuous support providing a caring presence, hands-on comfort, pain coping suggestions and encouragement when it is most needed. A doula will provide support for the mother and birth companion by helping them formulate questions, gather information, and discuss available options with the medical staff when events don’t always go as planned.

A doula’s role postpartum

Immediately after the baby is born, a doula stays with the mother, father and baby to encourage bonding, breastfeeding and helps get the new family settled comfortably. She can encourage the mother to have a good first latch and teach her the signs of successful breastfeeding. A doula comes to the family’s home shortly after the delivery to see how the recovery is going, to process the birth experience together, and help connect the mother and father with any resources that may be needed postpartum.

A doula’s role with the birth companion

The baby’s father and other loved ones  (grandmother, close friend, etc.) also have a great emotional investment in both the mother and baby and may need emotional support and guidance at times during labor. A doula’s role aims to enhance the birth companion’s involvement with the mother and the birth itself.  Often, a doula’s presence can free up the father to truly be present with the mother in labor and can provide him with the freedom to be close to her through each contraction, speak loving words over her, hold her hand when she needs it most. A doula can also stay with the mother to allow the father to rest, use the restroom, eat and take care of himself so that the mother never has to be alone during labor.

What a doula is NOT

– A doula is NOT a medical professional and cannot give medical advice. She WILL help you in facilitating effective communication with your medical care provider to get any medical information you need.

– A doula is NOT your decision-maker or someone who speaks on your behalf. She WILL assist with decision making by  helping to gather pertinent information. She asks the right questions that will guide a mother and father to make the best decisions for their families.