How Doulas Can Help You to Achieve a Positive Birth Experience
October 13, 2009
Ever wonder what a doula is and what she can do for you? The word doula is a Greek word, which means “women’s servant”. A doula is a non-medical assistant in childbirth.
Here’s how a doula can help you achieve a positive birth experience.
A doula’s job depends largely on her training and what you need them to do. A doula offers assistance in one or all of the three phases of pregnancy. She can:
1. Offer support during prenatal care
2. Offer support during childbirth
3. Be an essential support person after childbirth and during the postpartum period.
Prenatal Care Doula Assistance
Before childbirth, a doula can answer a myriad of questions a pregnant mother may have. She can also assist with nutrition guidelines and offer assistance when it comes to preparing for the actual childbirth. She may also assist the midwife with any examinations.
If an expectant mother is dealing with a difficult pregnancy or is assigned to bed rest, an Antepartum Doula can provide emotional and physical support.
Childbirth Assistance
Depending on the level of training a doula has, she may attend your home labor, drive you to the hospital, and attend your birth at the hospital or birthing center.
Her primary job will be to make sure the birthing experience is as positive as possible. She may offer massage, assist with pain-relieving techniques like deep breathing exercises and she can also help facilitate the communication between husband or partner and wife. She can be invaluable for keeping everyone calm, cool, and collected.
The doula is the mother’s and the father’s advocate during the labor and delivery process.
Postpartum Doula
A postpartum doula can begin work immediately after delivery and she can assist with the breastfeeding process, which can be a real challenge for many new mothers.
Postpartum doulas also facilitate the recovery period and can visit a new mother in her home. She can offer newborn care assistance and advice and in some cases, help the mother manage the household by helping with chores and tasks. Additionally, postpartum doulas can be essential for recognizing and helping mothers through postpartum depression.
Where to Find a Doula
If you’re interested in hiring a doula to help with any stage of your pregnancy you can visit americanpregnancy.org and search for a doula in your area. Certification is not required by law but it is available.
When dealing with your health and happiness, certification is generally a good idea. You can also visit DONA, Doulas of North America, to find a certified doula near you.
When hiring a doula, be sure to hire one who is knowledgeable and skilled in the stage of pregnancy you need her for. Ask about training and fees, and make sure she’s available when you need her.
Doulas offer expectant mothers the comfort and convenience they need at this important time in their lives. You can rely on them to share information, support you emotionally and physically, and to help you manage your upcoming and new responsibilities.
While they’re not really a “woman’s servant,” they truly are valued and a wonderful way to enhance the birth experience.
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You need to provide more information about how the doula engages with the father or other relations of the mother. The doula’s role is not to facilitate communication between mother and father (except perhaps in situations where the two are not getting on!) The doula can help the father understand what being present at a birth most needs – calmness, practical support, no andrenalin. The good doula understands how the relationship between the mother and father or other family member influences every aspect of natural birth and engages with both. The doula can help both parents-to-be to prepare for the birth and can help them cope with the unexpected while labour is going on. The doula can sooth nerves and keep things calm and natural. I am also not quite sure about the idea of a doula being an “advocate” – it sounds a bit like there is a competition going on! Doulas cannot represent the mother to the midwives and doctors; there has to be a direct relationship there. But doulas can facilitate that relationship.