Doula Support
Doulas Make a Difference
Today more women are choosing to have a doula at their birth. The first survey of women in the United States about their birth experiences, Listening to Mothers, indicates women rate the support they received from a doula as excellent more often than any other person including their family members, their doctor or their nurse. Women are finding out about doulas from other women and even from popular television shows like the Gilmore Girls and Frasier. The doula (Greek word meaning household servant) provides comfort, gives emotional support, personal connection, and needed information to pregnant women.
Scientific research demonstrates how powerful the benefits of modern doulas can be to new mothers. Data show the link between doulas and a shorter length of labor, lower rates of Cesarean section deliveries, higher rates of breastfeeding, improved mother-infant interactions and less evidence of maternal depression. The roles of the doula have broadened from that of a birth doula to caring for the mother and family after the birth (postpartum doula) and most recently to support women during pregnancy (antepartum doula). The first training and certifying organization for doulas was Doulas of North America founded in 1992. Most often the doula acts as a birth doula. She meets the woman during pregnancy to develop a relationship of nurturing and may attend medical appointments and classes with the women depending on her needs, but the focus is supporting her at the birth, then checking back with at least one home visit.
Doulas played an important role in supporting pregnant women who lost their partners after 9/11. They continue to support women who are alone while their partners are in the military serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. One significant way doulas have made a difference is supporting pregnant teens. A Doula Story is a movie about the Chicago Health Connection and its doulas working with teens. It is a touching and informative portrayal shown on PBS in 2007. Many teens either do not have an adequate support system or because of their pregnancy find themselves without support. Some family members and friends may attempt to provide physical and emotional support but it may be inadequate for the needs of a teen that needs to be nurtured during pregnancy as well in the weeks following childbirth.
Community-based doulas often share a similar backgroundwitho pregnant teens; they themselves might have been teen parents earlier in life. These shared experiences foster a deepened level of trust and a greater sense of respect and credibility between the young mother and the doula. At first, doulas spend time getting to know the mother and gaining a better understanding of the teen’s hopes and dreams for herself and her child. The doula also educates the teen on services that are available to her. The doula gives the teen information about her pregnancy, the needs of her fetus and the impact of her behavior on fetal development. During the postpartum period, the doula continues that valuable emotional support and guidance, helping the mother make a smooth transition into motherhood, building self confidence, encouraging bonding, and linking her with any necessary resources. The most important result of these programs is fewer pre-term births. Other results include increased breastfeeding rates, fewer cesarean deliveries, improved mother-child interaction and delayed subsequent pregnancy for the teenager.
The Pittsburgh community is rich with doula services. There are fee for service agencies or associations of doulas as well as individual doulas in private practice. A number of organizations are funded to provide doula services for teens and women at risk for problem pregnancies. An exciting new development will be the first insurance reimbursement of doula services for eligible women in Western Pennsylvania. This has been made possible by doulas demonstrating that their care reduces costs. When babies are born full term and not of a low birth weight, they are less likely to need neonatal intensive care.
Childbirth can be the most rewarding or difficult experience for any women. Women who feel supported and cared for during birth often say it makes them feel that they “can do anything”. Doulas do make a difference by helping women!
