What is a Doula?
You Doula What?
Often, when people ask me what I do and I say "I'm a birth Doula" all I get is a blank stare. Then I get the privilege of telling them all the amazing ways a Doula can help a women giving birth. Since you're here reading this, I'm going to assume someone else has at least mentioned Doulas to you. Maybe you'd like to know some more details?
There are a few different kinds of Doulas but all have the same goal: to support and encourage mothers. Becoming a Mother (whether your first time or your 5th) is such a momentous moment in a women's life. Doula's make it their priority to make this time as positive and special as possible. A Birth Doula is there to be a constant companion during labor. She gives the expectant mother and her partner emotional, physical and informational support throughout pregnancy, delivery and early postpartem.
There are a few different kinds of Doulas but all have the same goal: to support and encourage mothers. Becoming a Mother (whether your first time or your 5th) is such a momentous moment in a women's life. Doula's make it their priority to make this time as positive and special as possible. A Birth Doula is there to be a constant companion during labor. She gives the expectant mother and her partner emotional, physical and informational support throughout pregnancy, delivery and early postpartem.
What I Doula
- Recognize birth as a key experience a mother will remember all her life
- Understand the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
- Assist the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth
- Stay with the woman throughout the labor
- Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as help the woman get the information she needs to make an informed decision
- Facilitate communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers
- Perceive my role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience
- Allow the woman's partner to participate at his/her comfort level
- (Adapted from DONA Int. What is a Doula)
