What is a Doula?

Doulas have been around since birth began. However, only recently has a name been given to these important women. The word Doula comes from the Greek word for the most important female slave or servant in an ancient Greek household, the woman who probably helped the lady of the house through her childbearing. The word has come to refer to "a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth." (Klaus, Kennell and Klaus, Mothering the Mother)

What does a doula do?

Recognizes childbirth as a key life experience that the mother will remember all her life

Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor

Assists the woman and her partner in preparing for and carrying out their plans for the birth

Stays by the side of the laboring woman throughout her entire labor

Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, an objective viewpoint and helps the woman get the information she needs to make good decisions

Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and clinical care providers

Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of her birth experience.

Benefits of having a Doula:

50% reduction in the cesarean rate

25% shorter labor

60% reduction in the epidural requests

40% reduction in oxytocin use

30% reduction in analgesia use

40% reduction in forceps delivery

Increase in confidence of the father

Increased success in breastfeeding

Greater maternal satisfaction

Information was obtained from studies recorded in Mothering the Mother: How a Doula Can Help You Have a Shorter Easier and Healthier Birth, Klaus, Kennell, and Klaus(1993).

Do I need a Doula?

A doula is not just another person to hold your hand, she is an experienced and trained professional, an invaluable source to help you in many ways. 

You may benefit from Doula Services if any of the following pertain to you:

· You like the idea of having a knowledgeable professional attend to you and only you, continuously throughout your labor and birth.

· You would like to have the nurturing comfort or relaxed reassurance a doula can provide, available for you and your partner.

· You would like to avoid certain medical interventions, including cesarean delivery.

· Your primary support person desires to help you during labor, but doesn’t know what to do or may be nervous or afraid (Doulas do not take away from your chosen primary support person, a doula will help partners help the mother)

· You have no other support person

· You are afraid of labor or birth

· You have concerns about the pain of labor

· You view childbirth as a natural occurrence and not a medical event