|
|
|
 "Giving birth should be your greatest accomplishment, not your biggest fear." Jane Weideman What is a Doula?  "Doula" is a Greek word that means "woman's servant," and is a woman who provides continuous emotional, physical, and informational support during pregnancy, labor, birth, and immediately after the arrival of your little one(s).
A Doula does not replace the partner. Instead, she helps support the partner so that he or she can love and encourage the laboring woman. According To DONA International, The Premier Doula Association, A Doula: - Recognizes birth 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 the entire labor
- Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, an objective viewpoint, and assistance to the woman in getting the information she needs to make good decisions
- Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner, and clinical care providers
A Doula Does Not: - Take the place of the mother's partner but rather, finds ways to include the partner to his/her comfort level
- Perform clinical tasks, diagnose medical conditions, offer second opinions or give medical advice
- Make decisions for clients
- Project her own values and goals onto the laboring woman
Studies Have Shown That Having A Doula May Decrease:
As Well As An Increase Of:
Successful Breastfeeding A more positive birth experience Higher chance of spontaneous vaginal birth Having higher regard and increased sensitivity toward baby
"If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it." John H. Kennell, MD |
|
|
|
|
|
