Doulas are caregivers who support mothers and their partners through childbirth by providing information, emotional encouragement, as well as physical support and comfort during labor. A doula does not provide any medical care for the mother or baby.
She listens, she soothes, she sympathizes, she encourages, and she stays.
Having this sort of non-medical support for birthing women has been happening around the world for centuries. Mothers, aunts, sisters or other close companions familiar with birth would support and encourage a woman through her labor. In our culture today, as we have focused attention primarily on the medical needs of women and babies, it is rare for mothers to have this sort of helper, and many women have not had the depth of care and attention they need during their birth experiences.
Fathers are now an integral part of the birth as well and are expected to bear the brunt of this support for the mother by themselves. Some of them may feel overwhelmed and unprepared for this role. We must not forget that they are having this life experience as well and may need comfort and reassurance throughout the process, as well as help physically supporting the mother.
Doulas understand the complex needs of a woman in labor and they bring a sense of comfort, reassurance, and many other benefits to the woman and her family during the birth process. Doulas possess an understanding and patience for the process of birth and respect the wants and needs of the woman in labor. Doula support equips a mother and her partner with knowledge, confidence, and comfort for one of the most profound experiences of their life.
Some benefits of having the support of a doula can be…
You may benefit from the support of a doula if…
“Women don’t forget their birth experiences… We can’t control how long labor is going to be or if it’s going to be difficult… We can control how we care for women.” Penny Simkin
She listens, she soothes, she sympathizes, she encourages, and she stays.
Having this sort of non-medical support for birthing women has been happening around the world for centuries. Mothers, aunts, sisters or other close companions familiar with birth would support and encourage a woman through her labor. In our culture today, as we have focused attention primarily on the medical needs of women and babies, it is rare for mothers to have this sort of helper, and many women have not had the depth of care and attention they need during their birth experiences.
Fathers are now an integral part of the birth as well and are expected to bear the brunt of this support for the mother by themselves. Some of them may feel overwhelmed and unprepared for this role. We must not forget that they are having this life experience as well and may need comfort and reassurance throughout the process, as well as help physically supporting the mother.
Doulas understand the complex needs of a woman in labor and they bring a sense of comfort, reassurance, and many other benefits to the woman and her family during the birth process. Doulas possess an understanding and patience for the process of birth and respect the wants and needs of the woman in labor. Doula support equips a mother and her partner with knowledge, confidence, and comfort for one of the most profound experiences of their life.
Some benefits of having the support of a doula can be…
- Shorter Labors
- Decreased rates of intervention such as: induction, augmentation, assisted delivery by forceps vacuum extraction, or episiotomy
- Decreased rates of pain medication and epidural anesthesia
- Decreased rates of Cesarean Delivery
- Greater satisfaction with the birth experience
- Increased mother-infant bonding
- Greater success with breastfeeding
- Partners feel supported and better able to participate in the birth
- Less risk of postpartum depression and anxiety
You may benefit from the support of a doula if…
- You have not thought through what you want in your birth experience and feel unprepared
- You and your partner desire continuous personalized support and encouragement throughout the birth of your baby
- You want to have a natural birth experience and want extra physical support in coping techniques and positions for comfort
- You are planning to use pain medications in labor and want to understand your options while having unconditional support and encouragement in your decisions
- You strongly desire to avoid certain interventions
- You feel alone because you have no partner, family or friends able to support you as you welcome your baby
- You have a lot of questions about pregnancy, birth, or caring for a newborn and want information to be more prepared
- You want to be in control of your birth experience and need an advocate to help you understand your options so you can make informed decisions about your medical care
- You or your partner have fears about birth
- You want to be well cared for in a way that nourishes your body, mind, and heart
“Women don’t forget their birth experiences… We can’t control how long labor is going to be or if it’s going to be difficult… We can control how we care for women.” Penny Simkin
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