Doula
What is the
role of a Doula?
Labor Assistants
provide continuous care for the laboring woman and her partner. She
helps them participate fully in their experience by offering physical
and emotional support and information about the birth process, available
technology, & alternatives. She meets with the woman prenatally,
goes to their home in early labor, and accompanies them throughout labor
and delivery in the setting of their choice. She also does a follow-up
visit during the early postpartum period.
What can
a Doula do for me?
A Doula can provide a pregnant
woman with information and practical alternatives so that she may give
birth with confidence, strength and joy. She helps her overcome any
fears she may have about childbirth and encourages her to reclaim her
voice in the process by making her own informed decisions regarding
her care. Labor Assistants are trained to support women
and their families by:- Helping the expectant
parents to formulate what is important to them during labor and birth,
and working cooperatively within the birth team to help realize these
goals.
- Providing practical
suggestions for working with contractions and pain to help mothers relax,
including emotional support, variations in position, touch, massage,
and other labor support techniques.
- Helping the mother’s
partner to participate more fully in the experience by augmenting their
ability to provide support.
- Both supporting and
encouraging woman – centered, non – technical childbirth as the
safest possible choice for mothers and babies.
- When technology and medication are indicated, supporting the family in their choices, staying with them when changes or unexpected outcomes occur.
Why should
I choose to have a Doula?
*Advantages
of Labor Support:
-
50% decrease in cesarean
sections
- 25% decrease in length of labor
- 30% decrease in use of forceps
- 40% decrease in use of pitocin
- 60% decrease in use of epidurals
- 30% decrease in use of narcotics
In addition,
long-term benefits include:
- Improved Breastfeeding
- Decreased Postpartum Depression
- Greater Maternal Satisfaction
- Better Mother-Infant Interaction
