A doula provides many important services to birthing families. A Father is educated and encouraged to be more involved with the birth, learning he has the most important role, for he is the eyes, ears and voice for his baby and his partner during the vulnerable moments a woman often experiences during childbirth. The need for a Doula in maternity care is increasing rapidly with their emphatic contribution to the improved physical outcomes and emotional well-being of mothers and infants. A Doula provides continuous physical comfort measures, fact – based informational and emotional support and promotes communication between parents and care providers. A Doula protects and nurtures the mothers memory of her birth experience. Support is offered before, during and after childbirth.
Continuous emotional support during labor in a U.S. hospital.
A randomized controlled trial.
Kennell J, Klaus M, McGrath S, Robertson S, Hinkley C.
50% reduction in the cesarean rate
25% shorter labor
60% reduction in epidural requests
40% reduction in oxytocin use
30% reduction in analgesia use
40% reduction in forceps delivery
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1997/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1998/
A doula is there to support a labouring women and/or couple so they have a satisfying childbirth as they define it. We never interfere with medical advice, but faciltate communication between parents and caregivers. We do not perform clinical skills and therefore offer uninterrupted support that nurses are not always able to provide. We have the utmost respect for the lifesaving technology available and a doctor’s and nurse’s professional care during unexpected circumstances in a hospital. When technology and/or medication are truly indicated, we encourage our clients to ask relevent questions so they can make informed choices. We never make decisions for our clients, but support the family in their choices, staying with them when changes or unexpected outcomes occur.
We help the mother’s partner/spouse participate more fully in the experience by augmenting their ability to provide support.
We assist the parents with formulating a birth plan of what is important to them during labour and birth, encouraging them to do their own research as well as provide them with fact – based information so they are able to make informed choices.
Because we are not emotionally involved with the labouring women as are family members and friends, we know what to expect and do not ever panic when we see the mother in pain, but only help to bring calmess to the atmosphere. We provide musical therapy, massage, physical comfort measures, education, and are great advocates for the parents and baby.
