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 before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.
Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily.
Women do not require 'help' to birth their babies, but rather, they need support, encouragement and service. Doulas are a beautiful way to enhance the birth experience and can be one of the most effective ways of avoiding unnecessary interventions and complications. Doulas and midwives are present for a baby's birth to assist the mother in her power and help her achieve her desired birth experience through acknowledging her needs, providing personal, holistic prenatal care, emotional and physical support during labor, and provide optimal, birth wisdom, knowledge and understanding to each individual experience.
Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily.
Women do not require 'help' to birth their babies, but rather, they need support, encouragement and service. Doulas are a beautiful way to enhance the birth experience and can be one of the most effective ways of avoiding unnecessary interventions and complications. Doulas and midwives are present for a baby's birth to assist the mother in her power and help her achieve her desired birth experience through acknowledging her needs, providing personal, holistic prenatal care, emotional and physical support during labor, and provide optimal, birth wisdom, knowledge and understanding to each individual experience.
Birth Doula Services
A Birth Doula
- Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life
- Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
- Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth
- Stays with the woman throughout the labor
- Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decision
- Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers
- Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience
- Allows the woman's partner to participate at his/her comfort level