What is a Doula?
A
doula is a companion who is trained to support and empower
women and their partners during pregnancy, labour, birth and early
parenting.
What are the benefits of having a doula?
Having the support of a doula significantly reduces fear and tension
and increases feelings of safety and confidence. A doula works to
help generate a calm and safe environment, helping you to create and maintain your own birth space
and feel in control. A
doula can provide you with evidence-based
information, supporting you in making informed choices for the care
of you and your baby.
Doulas have been shown to shorten first-time labour, decrease the need for pain medication, decrease the possibility of having a caesarean section, helps partners participate with confidence, increases the likelihood of successful breastfeeding, helps parents bond with their babies and to feel more confident in their new parenting roles.*
Doulas have been shown to shorten first-time labour, decrease the need for pain medication, decrease the possibility of having a caesarean section, helps partners participate with confidence, increases the likelihood of successful breastfeeding, helps parents bond with their babies and to feel more confident in their new parenting roles.*
Why do I need a doula - I have my partner (or other family
member/friend)?
Pregnancy and birth also represent a huge transition for
partners. It can be associated with feelings of being overwhelmed,
uncertain and apprehensive and unfortunately
partners can sometimes feel forgotten. Doulas support partners throughout the
whole process, offering information and encouragement.
Anyone that is emotionally attached to the situation will more than likely find it difficult to know how to support the labouring woman effectively, and may even find it challenging to watch their loved-one in discomfort. A doula provides suggestions to help the partner, and any other family member or friend, to support at the level they are most comfortable with, can reassure them, explain what is happening and provide general information about the process of birth.
Having a doula present means that partners can let go of some of the responsibility they tend to take on and this gives them freedom to just be, which is generally what birth is all about.
Anyone that is emotionally attached to the situation will more than likely find it difficult to know how to support the labouring woman effectively, and may even find it challenging to watch their loved-one in discomfort. A doula provides suggestions to help the partner, and any other family member or friend, to support at the level they are most comfortable with, can reassure them, explain what is happening and provide general information about the process of birth.
Having a doula present means that partners can let go of some of the responsibility they tend to take on and this gives them freedom to just be, which is generally what birth is all about.
Why should I use a doula - won't I have a midwife?
The roles of a doula and midwife are vastly different. The main role
of a doula is to ensure the woman feels safe, encouraged, listened
to and
supported. The main role of a midwife is to ensure a safe outcome.
The work a doula and a midwife do should complement each other;
ideally they will work together to help ensure a safe and
positive journey along with a safe and positive outcome for
mother, baby and partner.
It is sometimes expected that one midwife will attend to a birthing woman continuously until her baby is born. Unfortunately this is rarely the case. In hospitals, midwives work on shifts and will generally be responsible for many women at a time, meaning that birthing women and their partners are often left unsupported for long periods of time, and may see many midwives during their experience. Even if, by small chance, a woman is attended by one midwife for the whole birth, there is much paperwork and other shift responsibilities that need to be completed, so it is truly impossible for a midwife in today's system to be one-on-one with a woman for her whole experience.
It is sometimes expected that one midwife will attend to a birthing woman continuously until her baby is born. Unfortunately this is rarely the case. In hospitals, midwives work on shifts and will generally be responsible for many women at a time, meaning that birthing women and their partners are often left unsupported for long periods of time, and may see many midwives during their experience. Even if, by small chance, a woman is attended by one midwife for the whole birth, there is much paperwork and other shift responsibilities that need to be completed, so it is truly impossible for a midwife in today's system to be one-on-one with a woman for her whole experience.
A doula provides that much-needed nurturing and continuity of care,
from pregnancy right through into early parenting, that is exclusive
and tailored to you and your needs.
Please read more about my doula services.
* Reference: "Mothering the Mother: How a Doula can Help You Have a
Shorter, Easier and Healthier Birth", Klaus, Kennell, and Klaus
1993)