http://www.naturalmomsblog.com/how-doulas-can-help-you-to-achieve-a-positive-birth-experience.html Trust Your Instincts with Confidence Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:37:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 http://www.naturalmomsblog.com/how-doulas-can-help-you-to-achieve-a-positive-birth-experience.html/comment-page-1#comment-6702 Duncan Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:43:16 +0000 http://www.naturalmomsblog.com/how-doulas-can-help-you-to-achieve-a-positive-birth-experience.html#comment-6702 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. 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.

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