The Role of a Doula
In nearly every culture of the world, women have traditionally surrounded themselves with other women to care for them during childbirth. Artistic depictions of childbirth usually display two or more women supporting the birthing mother. Usually, one of these women is a midwife, who is the person responsible for creating a safe passage for baby. The other women, usually on either side of the mother to comfort and soothe her, are doulas.
‘Doula' is a Greek word meaning ‘woman's servant.' Doulas are trained and experienced in childbirth, although they may never have given birth themselves. The doula's role is to provide physical, emotional, and informational support to women and their partners during labor and childbirth. Doulas offer help and advice on comfort measures such as breathing, relaxation techniques, movement, and positioning. Perhaps the most crucial role for doulas is to provide continuous emotional reassurance and comfort to the laboring mother.
Doulas are not medically skilled and don't perform clinical tasks. A doula's goal is to help the woman have a safe and satisfying childbirth, as defined by the woman. When a doula is present, some birthing women feel less need for pain medications or may postpone the need until later in labor. However, many women do need pain relief, and the doula's role is not to judge or discourage her from receiving it. The comfort and reassurance offered by the doula are beneficial, regardless of the use of pain medication.
A birth doula: a woman trained and experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a woman during labor, birth, and the immediate postpartum period.
A postpartum doula: a woman trained to care for new families in the first few weeks after birth, providing household help, advice with newborn care and infant feeding, and emotional support.
Questions to Ask a Doula:
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What training have you had?
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Tell me about your experience with birth, personally and as a doula.
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What is your philosophy about childbirth and about supporting women and their partners through labor?
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May we meet to discuss your birth plan and the role you will play in supporting me through childbirth?
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May we call you with any questions or concerns before and after the birth?
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When do you try to join women in labor? Would you come to our home, or meet us at the hospital?
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Do you work with one or more backup doulas for times when you are not available? May we meet them ahead of time?
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What are your fee and refund policies?
