Why a Doula?
A
woman could find birth support in many different forms. So one would be
inclined to wonder: why a doula? The doula works to enhance the birth
team and works to keep the mother’s partner / spouse / significant
other / coach / baby’s father calm and informed. A doula is experienced
in childbirth and therefor has more knowledge than most “family support”.
A doula does not have a close emotional attachment to the mother and therefor
is able to maintain a professional stance where a mother, sister or other
family member would not. Because of these factors a doula is likely to
reduce the need of a c-section delivery by 8%.
Every doula understands that a woman’s birth experience has a lasting effect on her sense of accomplishment, ability to trust, self-esteem and confidence. A doula does not perform clinical tasks, which enables him/her to focus completely on the laboring mother and her needs. A nurse, doctor, midwife or medical student acting as a doula, however helpful, would be unable to focus fully on the mother due to their other responsibilities. A study done involving these personnel showed a lower use of epidural anesthesia by 19% and the need for c-section delivery by 1%.
A certified doula is trained in the mechanics and medical terminology of birth and the most effective comfort techniques used by women throughout history. A certified doula has been trained by other more experienced doulas and some have had the advantage of a mentor. Certified doulas have been evaluated while attending births and have read several childbirth books and attended childbirth education classes. As a result of all of this a study conducted by Dr. Kennel in 1993 to 1994 found a 9% decrease in the use of epidural anesthesia in women supported by a trained doula to women receiving routine care. * Dr. Kennel’s study also found a 9.2% decrease in need for c-section delivery in women supported by a trained doula to women receiving routine care. *
Having birth support is valuable. Having good, trained birth support that is primarily focused on the laboring mother is invaluable. A certified/trained doula is able to provide that type of invaluable care.