What is a Doula?

Defining Doula:

A Doula is a woman who attends the birthing family before, during, and just after the birth of a baby.She serves as an advocate, labor coach, and support partner, to give the mother and her partner the added comfort of additional support throughout the entire labor. There are a variety of other titles used in exchange with the word doula. “Birth assistant,” “ labor support specialist” and “labor companion”are among these.

What does a Doula do?

A Doula will meet with the partners in the second and third trimester of the pregnancy to get acquainted and to learn about prior birth experiences. She will also want to know the history of the current pregnancy as well. She may help to develop a birth plan, provide a supply list for laboring at home and in the hospital, and teach relaxation, visualization, and breathing skills useful for labor.

When labor begins, a doula can help to determine pre-labor from true labor and early labor form active labor. At some point determined by the laboring woman, a doula will go either to home or hospital, and begin support by encouraging adequate rest- as well as nutrition and fluids in early labor. She will assist by suggesting a variety of positions that are conducive to effective laboring, and will constantly focus on the comfort of both the mom and her spouse/partner by utilizing pillows, adjusting temperatures, and making sure the environment is one in which the mother feels comfortable and safe.

At the hospital, a doula works cooperatively with the hospital staff in getting the mom settled, and continuing the kind of care she was given at home. The doula will coach both the laboring mom and her partner in breathing and position changes as transition and the second stage of labor approach. During the second stage (pushing stage), the doula may assist by supporting the mother’s legs, encouraging her in listening to her body to aid in effective pushing, and praising the mother in her efforts. The doula still attends to the comfort of the mother during this stage by making available cool cloths, ice chips, and sips of water to help refresh her. In the event of a complication, the doula can be a great help in understanding what is happening and what options are available for affecting the circumstances at hand. Finally, a doula will help with the first breastfeeding, and in preserving the privacy of the new family during the first hours after birth.

Doulas may provide follow up support with breastfeeding and the early postpartum days at home. Some also offer other services such as childbirth education, sibling support, etc.