"So your a Do What???" A DOULA..."What does THAT mean?"

What is a doula?

The word doula, pronounced doo-la, comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained, certified and experienced professional labor coach who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; and/or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period, and in my case, also in the case of bereavement situations.

Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily.

What are the advantages of having a birth doula?

A doula helps you before labor and delivery by answering your questions about what to expect, easing your fears, helping you develop a birth plan, and generally getting you ready for the arrival of your baby.

During labor and delivery, a doula provides constant, knowledgeable support. She can make suggestions about positions during labor, help you with breathing through contractions, and provide massage, among many other services. She can also answer questions you and your partner have about what's happening and make certain that your birth plan is followed as you wish.

It's impossible to predict or control how birth and labor will go. Will you connect emotionally with your labor and delivery nurse? A nurses time is split between patients and is limited in that way, however, your doula is there JUST to serve you. How will you react to the pain? Will you have a swift delivery or a long, drawn-out labor? How will your husband or partner hold up under the pressure?

Faced with these uncertainties, many women find enormous reassurance in having a doula by their side. Research has found that women who have continuous one-on-one support during labor tend to use pain medication less often, have slightly shorter labors, and are less likely to have a c-section or a forceps or vacuum-assisted delivery. In fact, if you're serious about trying to give birth without pain medication, a doula may be your best ally.

Women who have continuous support are also more likely to report being satisfied with their birth experience. One theory is that mothers who have continuous support produce lower levels of stress hormones during labor than women left alone or attended by inexperienced coaches.

Doulas provide support in many different ways during labor and delivery. In a typical hospital setting, doctors and some midwives don't stay in the room with you continuously during labor. Labor-and-delivery nurses often have to split their time between several patients, and they come and go according to their shifts. If you are between shifts, you can wind up with two or more L&D nurses, depending on the length of your labor. 

How do you choose a doula?

In my case, I am recommended by many OB/GYN Doctors and Midwives as well as word of mouth. I also am registered through the company I was certified through. I volunteer my services all over the world. My services include prenatal yoga as well because I am also a Certified Yoga Instructor and believe that it enhances a woman's ability to ready herself for the rigors of childbirth.

I suggest that you be diligent about using recommendations. Ask your Doctor or Midwife first who they recommend or whom they like to work with because that will create a harmonious environment for you. Put yourself and your baby first! Then consider your instinct. Interview a couple of people and see who YOU click with. Choose the person you would like to experience this very special moment with and you are off to a great start!

Blessings to you on your journey to birth...namaste...

A doula (also known as a birth attendant) believes in ‘mothering the mother’. She enables a woman and her partner to have the most satisfying birth experience possible, from pregnancy and into motherhood. This type of support allows the whole family to relax and enjoy the experience too. DONA (Doulas of North America) explains how doulas fit into the birth team: “Women have complex needs during childbirth. In addition to the safety of modern obstetrical care, and the love and companionship provided by their partners, women need consistent, continuous reassurance, comfort, encouragement and respect. They need individualised care based on their circumstances and preferences. The role of the birth doula encompasses the non-clinical aspects of care during childbirth.” Doulas have been actively supporting women in labour for a very long time, well before it was the formalised role that it is today. As a result of positive word of mouth (and the need for increased support), doulas are fast growing in popularity. Who Are Doulas? Doulas are trained and experienced in childbirth and are usually mothers themselves. While they have good knowledge and awareness of the birth process, a doula does not support the mother in a medical role. That is the job of the midwife or doctor. A doula helps to keep birth normal (if that is the wishes of the birthing mother), and is a valuable addition to the birth team. Should a birth become complicated and require medical assistance, a doula will still remain by your side and help in any way she can. She will not make decisions for those she supports, but she will assist them through the decision making process. A doula provides balanced information so the couple can make their own choices. Many women consider doulas to be an absolute must, especially for those giving birth in a hospital. Due to the over-medicalisation of birth, inductions of labour have skyrocketed, and are partly to blame for the 30% (that’s one out of every three!) Australian and American babies now born via c-section. Some hospitals sport c-section rates of 50% and higher. This is a shocking statistic, well above the World Health Organisation recommendations of 10-15% — after this amount, it doesn’t save any further lives, which is what the c-section was intended for. Given the long term emotional and physical effects that medical births can have on the mother, her partner and baby, a doula is a valuable asset to your birth team. By amping up your support team with experienced, continuous care from a doula, you’re giving yourself an increased chance at a better experience. Your support team are the people you will rely on to get you through your toughest, most intense moments. How well they hold the space and support you can impact on the outcome of your birth. With a doula, you know that someone is always on YOUR team, holding the space for you and your family. She works for you (and your partner) and has your best interests at heart. What Does A Doula Do? A doula may provide some or all of the following services, dependent on her training and skills. Often doulas are also qualified in other therapies too, so it always helps to ask! Birth education and preparation Birth planning (including creating a written birth plan/birth preferences document) De-briefing previous births Massage and other comfort measures Optimal fetal positioning Suggest positions and changes to help ease pain and facilitate a smoother, more effective labour Provide reassurance and encouragement Talking through emotional blockages which may come up during pregnancy and in labour Keep your ‘environment’ going – aromatherapy, music, candles etc Assisting you with negotiation of your preferences Photography and/or video of the birth itself, as well as those precious first moments as a family So much more! One of the the biggest bonuses of hiring a doula is that fact that she is a professional birth support person. Doulas are trained in the art of birth support, and have a keen eye and intuition on what a labouring mother needs. Things which a hospital midwife unfortunately does not always have time for (as much as she may want to). Things which your partner may not pick up on, or situations he may not know how to deal with. A doula has a heart that is caring and nurturing, yet is able to remain calm and focused if things go off the rails — something that can be very difficult for family members and partners. Because family and friends tend to have an emotional connection, in the event of a problem or at the peak intensity moments, they can buckle, not knowing what to do, say or think. A doula can think clearly, see pros and cons of any situation and relay them to the couple to make their own decision. When we’re stressed, we don’t make the best decisions, and in hospital, that may make your partner, mother or other, completely agreeable to what’s being put on the table. They may feel out of their depth, uncertain or scared. A doula can help explain what’s happening with compassion and without judgment or medical jargon, so its easier for everyone to understand. - See more at: http://www.bellybelly.com.au/pregnancy/doulas-what-is-a-doula/