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What is a Doula?

What is a Doula and what does she do? My husband is going to be with me so why would I need one?

Doulas are a centuries-old tradition, but have regained popularity in the U.S. over the past 15 years. In the simplest of terms, a doula is a professionally trained woman who provides information and physical and emotional support for the family before, during, and after the birth of the baby. However, she does so much more than that. She provides support throughout the pregnancy, which can be an immense comfort especially for first time moms. Having someone to talk with throughout the pregnancy about body changes or pregnancy concerns can be a relief and a major source of comfort or knowledge. She also remains with mom throughout labor and birth, and is completely focused on the mother's needs for physical comfort and also emotional encouragement.

While many labor-delivery nurses would like to provide the encouragement that delivering moms need, the fact is that because of the time constraints nurses face in today's hospitals, it's not likely that a nurse will be able to provide the support that most women need during this time. The doula's only job is to provide physical and emotional support to the mother and father. She is consistently there; being able to stay through any nursing or physician shift changes. She helps the mother feel confident, gives assurances in mom's ability to give birth, provides massage and other comfort/pain management techniques, and assists with laboring and pushing positions. A doula can also give informational support from her knowledge of birth and medical interventions, and protect the mother's choices and rights without judgment.

A doula does not take the father's place at birth. The mother's partner is an integral part of the experience and an extremely supportive one. But it's unreasonable to expect the partner, who is as emotionally involved as the expectant mom, to provide all the support. Giving birth can be stressful not only on the mom but on the father of the baby as well. Watching a love one uncomfortable or in pain can be very scary. A doula can model behaviors to help the Dad know how to better help the mom in labor. The doula brings experience and confidence, while the father provides strength and love. She also can allow the father to take a much-needed break to eat or rest.

Research findings indicate the value of having a doula during childbirth encompass many aspects of childbirth. In the late 1970s, Drs. John Kennell and Marshall Klaus looked into ways to enhance the emotional bonding between mother and newborn. They found that having a doula in the labor room not only improved that bond, but also seemed to decrease the incidence of complications. The long-term benefits of having a doula include: improved breastfeeding abilities, increased time spent with baby, decreased postpartum depression, mom reporting more positive maternal confidence, and more positive newborn health.

The overall and the simplest answer to the most asked questions about what a doula does and how she can be a benefit to expecting parents is that – a doula's role is not to take over or control the birth experience of the parents but to provide support and skills so that the parents can achieve the birth experience in which they desire.

If interested in hiring a doula, here are some suggested questions:
• What training have you had?
• What has been your experience as a doula?
• What is your philosophy about childbirth?
• May we discuss our birth plans and what kind of role you can play in supporting me through childbirth?
• May we call you with questions before and after the birth?
• At what point do you come to us during labor (home or hospital)?
• How many times to you meet with us before and after the birth?
• What services do you offer?
• What is your fee?

Contributed by Kelly Robertson, Doula For The Pampered Mommy , Charlotte, NC

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