What is a Doula?
Answers to your Questions
What is a Birth Doula?
A Birth Doula is one who serves and supports families before, during and after the birth in the immediate postpartum period. I provide non-judgmental emotional support and evidence-based support to you and your family during pregnancy to enable you to make decisions that reflect YOUR values for your labour and birth. I offer continuous support and physical comfort techniques during the labour process. My intention is to help create a positive birth experience for all.
What is a Postpartum Doula?
A Postpartum Doula is one who serves, particularly in providing care for newborns and their mothers. I step in after you are on your own, and can be regularly present in your home for several weeks or months. I can help you adjust to postpartum life by teaching you about newborn needs and abilities, feeding, sleep and cues, as well as prioritizing your rest and nutrition. I offer non-judgmental guidance and service, providing customized support as you regain your strength and as baby grows.
Do you perform any physical examinations?
As a Doula I do not preform any physical exams. My role as a doula is a woman who is trained to provide physical, emotional, and informational support to mothers-to-be and their partners before, during labour and birth, and postpartum.
How will hiring you affect my partner’s role during the birth?
My presence strengthens the birth partner’s role. Pressure to know how to help the labouring mother is removed. The doula anticipates the physical and emotional needs of the labouring mother as labour progresses, and helps the partner to better help her during this trying time. You and your birth partner will advise me on how involved the birthing partner wishes to be.
What are your interactions with medical staff like?
Doulas work alongside physicians, midwives, nurses, and birth partners, and are endorsed by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Experienced, certified doulas are considered part of the obstetric team, as they help couples minimize obstetrical intervention through informational and emotional support, and maximize their satisfaction with their birth experiences.
Do doulas only support unmedicated labour birth preferences?
Doulas know that birth is unpredictable. While an unmedicated, supported birth is very possible for most women, the goal of the doula is to make the birth experience a positive and memorable one. I believe in "informed choice", that as long as a woman has the necessary information to make informed decisions with regards to the benefits and risks of medication in childbirth, and is comfortable with her decision whether to accept medication or not, then that is what defines a positive birth experience. My goal is to support you, your beliefs and your vision so you are as comfortable as can be through out the process.
What are the benefits of hiring a birth doula?
Numerous studies have shown that the presence of a doula at a birth results in up to:
50% reduction in cesarean rates*
40% reduction in forcep deliveries*
25% shorter labours*
60% reduction in epidural requests*
40% reduction in oxytocin (Pitocin) use*
better mother-infant bonding*
30% reduction in analgesia use*
reduced post-partum depression*
more spontaneous vaginal births
Fewer babies with low Apgar scores at 5 minutes of age
What are the benefits of hiring a postpartum doula?
Easier physical recovery period
Support for Postpartum Mood Disorders
Reduced fatigue and anxiety for both parents
Improved rest and nutrition for the mother
Less anxiety and worry for the partner returning to work
Greater breastfeeding success
Increased competence and confidence in all aspects of newborn care
Increased positive outcomes from timely referrals to professionals