What is a Doula?

A Doula is a woman trained and experienced in childbirth to support women and their families during pregnancy, birth and postpartum period. The word Doula refers to the Greek term meaning "woman caregiver of another woman" 

A Doula provides:

1. *Continuous, uninterrupted care for the labouring woman and her partner.
   

2. *Information about the birth process, available technology and alternatives.
   

3. *Assistance to the pregnant woman and her family about what is important to them during labor and birth and works cooperatively within the birth team to realize these goals.
   

4. *Practical suggestions for working with contractions and pain to help mothers relax including touch, massage, acupressure, emotional support, variations in positioning and other labor support techniques.
   

Benefits of hiring a trained Doula

1. *Recent studies show that the help of a trained labor companion has the following benefits.
   

2. * shorter labours
   

3. * fewer complications
   

4. * reduction in cesarean rates
   

5. * reduction in oxytocin use
   

6. * reduction in forceps use
   

7. * reduction in epidural requests
   

8. * reduction in analgesia use
   

For the mothers:

1. * greater satisfaction with their birth experience
   

2. * more positive assessments of their babies
   

3. * less postpartum depression
   

For the babies:

1. * Shorter hospital stays with fewer admissions to special care nurseries
   

2. * Babies breastfeed more easily
   

3. * Mothers are more affectionate
   

Information was obtained from DONA International

What does a birth doula do?

Doulas do not provide you with any clinical care, so they do not replace your doctor or midwife. Generally your relationship with your doula will begin during pregnancy. As you discuss the priorities you have for your upcoming birth, your doula will help you find ways of obtaining your goals. This may be in the form of finding the appropriate childbirth class, accessing accurate information, learning and practicing techniques for labour, and assisting with writing a birth plan, if desired.

The doula joins the mother and other support people when they feel the need for extra support.  She goes with them to their place of birth and stays until after the baby is born.

Doulas are proficient in massage, positioning, comfort measures, relaxation and breathing techniques. They will help you and your partner decide which position will help labour along or make labour more comfortable. Along the way she will make suggestions and reminders about simple things that are often forgotten, like going to the bathroom, or drinking fluids.  A doula will usually take notes and photographs, if you would like to have some taken. Your doula will help you remember what plans you had for labour and help you get the things that you wanted.  She can also assist you when changes need to be made or complications arise. After your baby is born she can help you with early breastfeeding and postpartum issues.  Over the next few important days the doula will keep in touch by phone, and make an appointment to visit again in order to review the labour and birth with you.

Do partners feel left out?

No! Doulas do not replace the father in any way.  Doulas usually take a very quiet support role, often letting the couple work together while she does other things like massage, fetching ice chips, preparing the shower, or occasionally making suggestions. 

It is often forgotten that dads are experiencing this labour too and have an emotional investment.  Some have a hard time remembering what was taught in class, some may not have attended classes. A doula can help the father experience this special time with confidence. 

With her partner and a doula at birth a mother can have the best of both worlds: her partner’s loving care and attention and the doula’s expertise and guidance in childbirth.

Find out more about Dads and Doulas

Who needs a doula?

Anyone having a baby can benefit from a birth doula.  Some people believe that doulas are only for women who want an unmedicated birth. This is not true. Doulas have very important roles to play in medicated and surgical births too.

Women who are planning a natural birth often do hire doulas to help increase their support team, as do women desiring a vaginal birth after a previous cesarean. High risk mothers often feel the need to have someone take care of their family emotionally, while they are receiving the best in high technological care from their clinical staff.  Single mothers may choose a doula if they lack support from their family or friends.

Find out more about doulas visit DONA International or The Calgary Doula Association