What is a Doula
Tammy Smith Photography
A Doula:
A doula’s role is to provide physical, emotional, and informational support to women and their partners during labor and birth. She understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman during labor. A doula offers help and advice on comfort measures such as breathing, relaxation, movement and positioning, along with providing continuous emotional reassurance and comfort. Each woman will utilize a doula differently. Some women want a gentle, reassuring presence at their birth to help them with breathing and comfort measures. Others want a full-blown labor coach to enforce their birth plan. Still others just want an extra person on hand to take pictures, coordinate relatives, watch kids and run errands.
Certified doulas have been through training that focuses on the emotional needs of the women. Also, the doula will have hands on practice such as relaxation, breathing, positioning and movements to reduce pain.
Working with Birth Partner:
During pregnancy and birth you may have many needs which can be fulfilled by your partner. However, your partner may not be able to fulfill these needs, were as a doula would be able to give you the “non-clinical aspects of care” that you need. A doula will advise partners about how to help in certain situations, such as positions and comfort suggestions. A doula can help the partner understand what the mother might be feeling and interpret the signs of labor.
By getting to know the two of you before the birth, I can discover your priorities, fears, and concerns and help you develop strategies to deal with them. One father described a doula this way: “She was like my big sister-ready, willing and able to help me do the best job I could.”
Benefits:
Statistics show that women who received support during labor and childbirth had a reduction in the following areas:
A doula’s role is to provide physical, emotional, and informational support to women and their partners during labor and birth. She understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman during labor. A doula offers help and advice on comfort measures such as breathing, relaxation, movement and positioning, along with providing continuous emotional reassurance and comfort. Each woman will utilize a doula differently. Some women want a gentle, reassuring presence at their birth to help them with breathing and comfort measures. Others want a full-blown labor coach to enforce their birth plan. Still others just want an extra person on hand to take pictures, coordinate relatives, watch kids and run errands.
Certified doulas have been through training that focuses on the emotional needs of the women. Also, the doula will have hands on practice such as relaxation, breathing, positioning and movements to reduce pain.
Working with Birth Partner:
During pregnancy and birth you may have many needs which can be fulfilled by your partner. However, your partner may not be able to fulfill these needs, were as a doula would be able to give you the “non-clinical aspects of care” that you need. A doula will advise partners about how to help in certain situations, such as positions and comfort suggestions. A doula can help the partner understand what the mother might be feeling and interpret the signs of labor.
By getting to know the two of you before the birth, I can discover your priorities, fears, and concerns and help you develop strategies to deal with them. One father described a doula this way: “She was like my big sister-ready, willing and able to help me do the best job I could.”
Benefits:
Statistics show that women who received support during labor and childbirth had a reduction in the following areas:
- 50% reduction in Cesarean procedures
- 60% reduction in epidural requests
- 40% reduction in oxytocin use
- 30% reduction in analgesic use
- 40% reduction in forceps delivery
- 25% shorter labor
Empowering Women Through Childbirth
Article I wrote for DONA
The Purpose and Value of Labor Support
Pregnancy and childbirth is one of the most wonderful, powerful and rewarding experiences a woman may go though. The rite of passage, that is childbirth, will remain in a woman’s memory for years to come. Throughout history birthing women were surrounded by other women. These women were there to love, support, and give her comfort and a doula is a continuation of this tradition (Way 1998). When a doula attends a birth the mother, partner and baby are more likely to have a positive, fulfilling experience.
The birth of a baby not only affects the physical and mental health of the baby but also impacts the health of the mother and family. Early emotional relationships developed between the family and the infant(s) are very important, for they will determine the future of the family’s well being. Part of these relationships is the emotional care received by the mother during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum (Way 1998). During most births the nurse, doctor or midwife will most likely be busy with the clinical side of the labor and delivery. A doula provides continuous support during pregnancy, labor and postpartum, to create the best experience possible for the mother, her baby, and her family.
Though, the benefits of a doula can be perceived by anyone witnessing a doula attended birth, there have been numerous scientific studies done on benefits of having a doula attended birth. Dr. John Kennell and Dr Marshall Klaus researched doulas 1980 and 1986 and found that obstetric outcomes were most improved and intervention rates were dramatically lower, for women with doulas verse those who did not have any loved ones (Way 1998). Several other studies also have found lower rates of cesareans and fewer interventions among doula-attended births (Simkin 2008). In The Doula Book the author’s reference two studies that show incredible benefits of a doula attended birth. These benefits include lower chance of a cesarean, higher breastfeeding success, a more positive outlook on mothering and parenting including less depression, and better connection between mother and baby and mother and partner, just to name a few (Klaus 2012).
There is no shortage of evidence that a doula drastically increases the likelihood the mother will have a successful birth, whatever that is for her. She does this by providing physical, emotional, and informational support to women and their partners during labor and birth. She understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman during labor. A doula offers help and advice on comfort measures such as breathing, relaxation, movement and positioning, along with providing continuous emotional reassurance and comfort (Klaus 2012)
Each woman will utilize a doula differently. Some women want a gentle, reassuring presence at their birth to help them with breathing and comfort measures. Others want a full-blown labor coach to enforce their birth plan. Still others just want an extra person on hand to take pictures, coordinate relatives, watch kids and run errands. Certified doulas have been through training that focuses on the emotional needs of the women. Also, the doula will have hands on practice such as relaxation, breathing, positioning and movements to reduce pain (Way 1998).
Though doulas have knowledge about birth they do not fulfill any clinical or medical roles. The doula maybe the advocate for the mother and her family but she cannot be the mother’s voice. She may facilitate in a situation where they are unable to answer or ask the appropriate questions (Simkin 2008). They also are not to individually make decisions for their clients or project her own values or beliefs on her client. The doula’s role is to give the client as much neutral information as possible. This includes any ricks, benefits and preventions. The doula then supports their clients’ decision, whatever that may be, to give the women the most comfort and support possible (Way 1998).
During early labor the doula will speak with the mother to assess her contractions and progression. The doula can determine if the mother is responding positively to the progression of her labor. If the mother is not coping well the doula can introduce some comfort measures to help the mother emotionally. The mother may be afraid to let go during the pushing phase. This can be one of the most difficult things to do during the birth. The doula, having worked with the mother through the pregnancy can determine if the mother needs some extra emotional support to get though the birth. She may know exactly what to say to help the mother move though the difficult time. After the birth of the placenta a doula will continue to support the mother, her partner and now the baby. She will remind both to sing and talk to the new baby and keep them warm using skin to skin. She will also assist in breast feeding if that is the mothers wish (Simkin 2008).
The doula does not replace the birth partner. In fact the doula is there to support the birth partner almost as much as the birthing women herself. The doula and the birth partner work in tandem to create the best environment for the women (Way 1998). A doula will advise partners about how to help in certain situations, such as positions and comfort suggestions. A doula can help the partner understand what the mother might be feeling and interpret the signs of labor (Simkin 2008).
Overall, the statistics are overwhelmingly positive for doulas. If a drug trail had the statistical significance in reducing interventions and cesareans, it would be mandated to everyone. Doulas not only continually support the mother through birth but she creates a provided for, loving, welcoming environment for the partner and the baby. When a doula attends a birth the mother, partner and baby are more likely to have a affirmative, rewarding experience.
Klaus, M.H., Kennell, J.H., Klaus, P.H. The Doula Book: How a Trained Labor Companion Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier, and Healthier Birth, Third Edition. Boston MA: Da Capo Press, 2012.
Simkin, Penny. The Birth Partner: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Doulas, and All Other Labor Companions, Third Edition. Boston MA: Harvard Common Press, 2008
Way, K., Simkin, P. Position Paper: The Doula’s Contribution to Modern Maternity Care. DONA, 1998
Pregnancy and childbirth is one of the most wonderful, powerful and rewarding experiences a woman may go though. The rite of passage, that is childbirth, will remain in a woman’s memory for years to come. Throughout history birthing women were surrounded by other women. These women were there to love, support, and give her comfort and a doula is a continuation of this tradition (Way 1998). When a doula attends a birth the mother, partner and baby are more likely to have a positive, fulfilling experience.
The birth of a baby not only affects the physical and mental health of the baby but also impacts the health of the mother and family. Early emotional relationships developed between the family and the infant(s) are very important, for they will determine the future of the family’s well being. Part of these relationships is the emotional care received by the mother during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum (Way 1998). During most births the nurse, doctor or midwife will most likely be busy with the clinical side of the labor and delivery. A doula provides continuous support during pregnancy, labor and postpartum, to create the best experience possible for the mother, her baby, and her family.
Though, the benefits of a doula can be perceived by anyone witnessing a doula attended birth, there have been numerous scientific studies done on benefits of having a doula attended birth. Dr. John Kennell and Dr Marshall Klaus researched doulas 1980 and 1986 and found that obstetric outcomes were most improved and intervention rates were dramatically lower, for women with doulas verse those who did not have any loved ones (Way 1998). Several other studies also have found lower rates of cesareans and fewer interventions among doula-attended births (Simkin 2008). In The Doula Book the author’s reference two studies that show incredible benefits of a doula attended birth. These benefits include lower chance of a cesarean, higher breastfeeding success, a more positive outlook on mothering and parenting including less depression, and better connection between mother and baby and mother and partner, just to name a few (Klaus 2012).
There is no shortage of evidence that a doula drastically increases the likelihood the mother will have a successful birth, whatever that is for her. She does this by providing physical, emotional, and informational support to women and their partners during labor and birth. She understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman during labor. A doula offers help and advice on comfort measures such as breathing, relaxation, movement and positioning, along with providing continuous emotional reassurance and comfort (Klaus 2012)
Each woman will utilize a doula differently. Some women want a gentle, reassuring presence at their birth to help them with breathing and comfort measures. Others want a full-blown labor coach to enforce their birth plan. Still others just want an extra person on hand to take pictures, coordinate relatives, watch kids and run errands. Certified doulas have been through training that focuses on the emotional needs of the women. Also, the doula will have hands on practice such as relaxation, breathing, positioning and movements to reduce pain (Way 1998).
Though doulas have knowledge about birth they do not fulfill any clinical or medical roles. The doula maybe the advocate for the mother and her family but she cannot be the mother’s voice. She may facilitate in a situation where they are unable to answer or ask the appropriate questions (Simkin 2008). They also are not to individually make decisions for their clients or project her own values or beliefs on her client. The doula’s role is to give the client as much neutral information as possible. This includes any ricks, benefits and preventions. The doula then supports their clients’ decision, whatever that may be, to give the women the most comfort and support possible (Way 1998).
During early labor the doula will speak with the mother to assess her contractions and progression. The doula can determine if the mother is responding positively to the progression of her labor. If the mother is not coping well the doula can introduce some comfort measures to help the mother emotionally. The mother may be afraid to let go during the pushing phase. This can be one of the most difficult things to do during the birth. The doula, having worked with the mother through the pregnancy can determine if the mother needs some extra emotional support to get though the birth. She may know exactly what to say to help the mother move though the difficult time. After the birth of the placenta a doula will continue to support the mother, her partner and now the baby. She will remind both to sing and talk to the new baby and keep them warm using skin to skin. She will also assist in breast feeding if that is the mothers wish (Simkin 2008).
The doula does not replace the birth partner. In fact the doula is there to support the birth partner almost as much as the birthing women herself. The doula and the birth partner work in tandem to create the best environment for the women (Way 1998). A doula will advise partners about how to help in certain situations, such as positions and comfort suggestions. A doula can help the partner understand what the mother might be feeling and interpret the signs of labor (Simkin 2008).
Overall, the statistics are overwhelmingly positive for doulas. If a drug trail had the statistical significance in reducing interventions and cesareans, it would be mandated to everyone. Doulas not only continually support the mother through birth but she creates a provided for, loving, welcoming environment for the partner and the baby. When a doula attends a birth the mother, partner and baby are more likely to have a affirmative, rewarding experience.
Klaus, M.H., Kennell, J.H., Klaus, P.H. The Doula Book: How a Trained Labor Companion Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier, and Healthier Birth, Third Edition. Boston MA: Da Capo Press, 2012.
Simkin, Penny. The Birth Partner: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Doulas, and All Other Labor Companions, Third Edition. Boston MA: Harvard Common Press, 2008
Way, K., Simkin, P. Position Paper: The Doula’s Contribution to Modern Maternity Care. DONA, 1998