What does the word doula mean? The word “doula” comes from the ancient Greek, meaning “Woman’s servant.”
What effect does a doula have on birth outcomes? Tends to… result in shorter labors and fewer complications, reduce negative feelings about childbirth experience, and reduce need for labor inducing drugs, forceps or vacuum extraction. Reduces requests for pain medication, epidurals and the incidence of cesarean sections.
What effect does a doula have on mother? Women reported greater satisfaction with their birth experience, more positive assessments of their babies, fewer cesareans and medical interventions, and less postpartum depression.
What effect does a doula have on baby? Studies have shown that babies born with doulas present have shorter hospital stays with fewer admissions to special care nurseries, breastfeed more easily and have more affectionate mothers in postpartum period.
Does a doula replace medical staff? NO. A doula does not replace the nurses or other medical staff. Doulas do not perform clinical tasks such as blood pressure or temperature, monitoring fetal heart rate, doing vaginal exams or provide postpartum care. They are there to comfort and support the mother and to enhance communication between the mother, her support team and the medical professionals.
Will a doula make decisions on my behalf? No, a doula will not make decisions for clients or intervene with clinical care. She provides informational and emotional support, while respecting the families’ decisions.
Will a doula make my partner feel unnecessary? No, a doula is there to support both the mother and her partner and plays a crucial role in helping the partner become involved in the birth and newborn care to the extent he/she feels comfortable.
What is the difference between a birth and postpartum doula? A birth doula is a woman trained in childbirth who provides physical and emotional support during labor birth and the immediate postpartum period. A postpartum doula is a woman trained to care for the new family in the first weeks after birth providing household help, advice with newborn care, infant feeding and emotional support.
What are the benefits of having a postpartum doula? Some of the benefits include: increased success with breastfeeding, less chance of postpartum depression, less maternal exhaustion and frustration, greater understanding of newborn emotional, physical needs and behaviors.
Is it possible to have a non-medicated birth in a hospital? Absolutely, your body is designed to give birth. While there are many medical advances in the area of pain control there are also many options for non-medicated pain control. Most hospitals and physicians are quite respectful of your wishes as long as there are no complications that could endanger you or your baby. If you have any questions as to what your hospital or physician will allow; call them and ask.
What if I am considering pain medications? A doula is there to support the laboring woman with any decisions she makes and to help ensure a safe and satisfying birth as she defines it. She still needs continuous support even with pain medications. The doula can give dad/partner a break to go get something to eat or to take a nap if it's been a particularly long labor. She can take pictures, get ice-chips, do hand massage or just sit quietly while the woman rests.
Are most doulas licensed? At this time no license is available. There are a couple of nationally recognized organizations that offer certifications. Doulas of North America
www.dona.org and Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association
www.cappa.net. Some doulas choose not to certify, I am currently working towards certification with DONA.
What does a doula cost? Cost varies from area to area and doula to doula. It is usually based on experience and the market. I am willing to barter, set up a sliding scale, and a payment plan. Do not allow money to keep you from looking into doula service.
When will I see a doula I have hired? You will see me at least twice for prenatal visits. As soon as labor begins I will meet you at your home and we will determine if it is time to transition to the hospital. I will stay with you through labor, delivery and up to two hours after the birth. You will see me again once in the hospital and for a minimum of 6 hours postpartum once you have gone home.
Are there any books that I should read? One of the most important parts of a successful birth and postpartum experience is being educated on what is happening to your body, your life and your baby. I suggest the following books:
Birthing From Within by Pam England
The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin
Ina May’s Guide to Child Birth by Ina May Gaskins
Mind Over Labor by Carl Jones, Marian Thomson, & emit Miller
Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn by Simkin, Whalley and Keppler
The Baby Book by Drs. William and Martha Sears
The Breastfeeding Book by Drs. William and Martha Sears
Your Amazing Newborn by Klaus and Klaus
The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers by Dr. Jack Newman
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