SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT BIRTH DOULAS
1. What is a birth doula?
A birth doula is a person trained and experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth.
2. Where does the word “doula” come from?
The word doula comes from ancient Greek, meaning “woman’s servant.” Throughout history women have supported each other through labour and birth. Those who have had teaching and experience serve others.
3. What effects does the presence of a doula have on birth outcomes?
Numerous clinical studies have found that a doula’s presence at birth:
• tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications
• reduces negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience
• reduces the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum report extraction
• reduces the requests for pain medication and epidurals, as well as the incidence of c-sections
4. What effects does the presence of a doula have on the mother?
When a doula is present during and after childbirth, women have reported greater satisfaction with their birth experience, make more positive assessments of their babies, have fewer cesareans and requests for medical intervention, and less postpartum depression.
5. What effects does the presence of a doula have on babies?
Studies have shown that babies born with doulas present tend to have shorter hospital stays with fewer admissions to special care nurseries, breastfeed more easily and have more affectionate mothers in the postpartum period.
6. Does a doula replace nursing staff?
No. Doulas do not replace nurses or other medical staff. They are there to comfort and support the mother and to enhance communication between the mother and medical professionals.
7. Does a doula make decisions on my behalf?
A doula does not make decisions for clients or intervene in their clinical care. She provides physical and emotional support as well as the information necessary for the woman and her partner to make truly informed decisions about their care. The doula will respect and support a woman’s decisions.
8. What about my partner?
A doula is supportive to both the mother and her partner, helping a partner become involved in the birth to the extent he/she feels comfortable.