What is a Doula and what do they do
Doulas provide continuous support during labor and birth, regardless of the decisions the mother makes or how she decides to birth, therefore her primary responsibility is to the birthing person and their partner and not to a hospital staff, nurse, midwife or doctor.
Physical support, these techniques are not limited to labor, the Doula will coach you before labor on the best techniques that you can use for ease discomfort and manage pain
Soothing with touch using massage, counter pressure, or a rebozo
Suggesting different positions to ease and facilitate labor
Helping to create a calm and safe environment
Assisting with water therapy (shower, bath)
Applying warm or cold compress
Assisting the birthing person in walking
Maintaining hydration and nutrition
Emotional support helps the birthing person feel cared for and feel a sense of pride and empowerment after birth, through
Continuous presence
Reassurance
Encouragement
Praise
Maintaining a positive atmosphere and attitude throughout pregnancy and labor
Keeping company
Showing a caring attitude
Helping the birthing person and partner work through fears and self-doubt
Debriefing after the birth—listening to the mother with empathy
Informational support The doula helps provide unbiased information, through access to evidence-based information about birth options.
Ensuring that the laboring woman is part of making all the decisions, and always understanding why procedures are suggested or taking place.
Suggesting techniques in labor, such as breathing, relaxation techniques, movement, and positioning (positioning is important both with and without epidurals)
Providing evidence-based information about different options in pregnancy and childbirth
Helping explain medical procedures before or as they occur
Helping the partner understand what’s going on during labor
What is NOT included in doula support?
Doulas are not medical professionals, and the following tasks are not performed by doulas:
They do not vaginal exams or fetal heart monitoring
They do not give medical advice or diagnose conditions
They do not make decisions for the client (medical or otherwise)
They do not pressure the birthing person into certain choices to match their own
They do not take over the role of the partner
They do not catch the baby
They do not change shifts
Statistics of the impact of having a doula:
In 2017, Bohren et al. published an updated Cochrane review on the use of continuous support for women during childbirth. They combined the results of 26 trials that included more than 15,000 people.
39% decrease in the risk of Cesarean
15% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth;
10% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief;
Shorter labors by 41 minutes on average
38% decrease in the baby’s risk of a low five minute Apgar score;
31% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience
