The 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 parents before, during and
after birth.The Birth Doula...
- Recognizes
childbirth as a key life experience that the mother will remember her whole
life.
- Understands
and trusts the process of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in
labor.
- Is
experienced and trained in providing labor support.
- Meets
with expectant couples during pregnancy to get acquainted, explore and
discuss their priorities, fears and concerns, go over labor positions,
comfort measures, pain management, process your birth wishes to create a
birth plan if so desired.
- Provides
emotional support and physical comfort measures to birthing women and
families from early labor until after childbirth.
- Provides
suggestions during labor for: comfort, pain management, and enhancing the
progress of labor.
- Acts
as a liaison between the laboring couple and the medical staff to
facilitate communication and help the woman get the information she needs
to make informed decisions.
- Supports
the informed choices of her clients.
- Inspires
confidence in a woman's ability to give birth in her own best way.
- Perceives
her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of her birth
experience.
- Offers resources and information.
The Birth Doula Does Not...
- Perform
clinical tasks, such as fetal heart tone checks or vaginal exams. She is
not there for medical reasons, other than to provide support.
- Make
decisions for you. She will help get the information necessary for parents
to make an informed decision and the one that is right for them.
- Speak
to the medical staff instead of the laboring woman regarding matters where
decisions are being made. She will discuss your concerns with you and the
staff and suggest options, but you or your partner will speak on your
behalf to the medical staff.
- Replace the partner during labor. She supports
and encourages the partner and enhances their support style rather than replace
it.
