What is a Doula?

I hear that a lot....  A what?  A Doula?  What is a Doula?

Today a Birth Doula is a private labor coach. But the scope of service a Doula can offer will vary with her experience and skills.  She is typically someone you hire to educate you on child birth and to support you during labor.  Doulas attend births at home, in birth centers and at hospitals.  She will remain with you from the moment you go into labor until hours after the birth.  

The name Doula comes from a Greek word meaning Woman Caregiver.  Many Doulas are professionally trained by organizations like DONA.  Others are lay people who are often just as competent. Most have become Doulas because they recognize that there is something sacred about birth and they have a passion for supporting birthing women.

Studies have shown that the mere presence of another woman in the room during birth improves the birthing mother's experience.  Some measured benefits include:

~50% decrease in C-sections
~25% decrease in labor length
~60% decrease in epidural requests
~40% decrease in forceps use

But more importantly attendance of a Birth Doula:

~results in an increased satisfaction with the birth experience

~diminishes fear

~empowers the birthing woman and her partner

~facilitates intimacy between the birthing woman and her partner

~is especially helpful for first births

~decreases the occurrence of postpartum depression

~improves the success of breastfeeding

~improves the mother and infant interaction

A good Birth Doula is equipped with knowledge about the birthing process, physical comfort techniques, and effectively intuitive.

To sum it up, Birth Doulas provide emotional, informational, physical and partner support as well as advocating for the birthing woman.  A Birth Doula’s services are centered around empowering and supporting the birthing mother and her partner during labor, delivery and immediately post-partum.