What is a Doula?
A doula is a woman that provides continous physical, emotional,
informational and partner support to couples before, during, and just
after the birth of their child.
A Doula:
- Recognizes birth as a key life experience, and understands the physiology of birth and emotional needs of a woman in labor
- Assists the woman and her partner in preparing for and carrying out her plans for the birth
- Stays by the side of the laboring woman throughout the labor with no change in shift
- Provides assistance to partners who want to play an active role to help the woman
- Provides an objective viewpoint and information to aid in decision making
- Protects and nurtures the memory of the birth experience because she understands the impact birth has on a woman's life
Why Should I Use a Doula?
The benefits of a trained doula are:
- Continuous emotional and physical support of the birthing family
- Support of the father, increasing his confidence and abilities
- An advocate whose only allegiance is to the birthing family
- Less feeding problems and more long-term success with breastfeeding
- Decreased incidence of postpartum depression
- Improved mother/baby interaction
- Increase in relationship satisfaction with partner following the birth
- Decrease in the need for pain medication
