Natural Birth and Baby Care.com

A Doula Can Help You

Birth Doulas | Postpartum Doulas

Are you looking for a way to make your labor go more smoothly, take less time, and reduce interventions?

Do you want to experience natural pain relief during labor and birth? A doula can help you achieve these goals.

She is uniquely trained to attend you during labor and birth (and postpartum). "Doula" is a Greek word meaning "woman's servant" or "trusted servant."

Women have always supported other women during birth. A doula continues this tradition in our modern day society.

She serves you and supports you and your family. During labor and birth your doula is committed to being with throughout your entire labor. Most doulas remain for several hours after the birth and some continue to serve in the postpartum period.

Numerous studies have shown that having a doula results in fewer medical interventions, including cesarean section and forceps/vacuum extraction.

Women with a doula require less pain relief medication and often report an easier and more pleasant birth experience.

Families supported by doulas show greater confidence in the weeks following the birth.

The baby also benefits after you have had doula support. Mothers and babies who have had a doula have been shown to breastfeed better and for longer.

Maternal depression and anxiety are also reduced. Studies shows that mothers who have had a doula are more affectionate towards their babies.

How a Doula Can Help You

You may wonder how a doula can do all these things for you.

During your labor and birth your doula will provide you with continuous physical and emotional support. She will be by your side to provide you with all that you need.

She will rub your back if you need a backrub. She will hold your hands if you need someone to hold your hands. She will reassure you if you are scared.

If you'd like warm, moist heat on your back or belly - if you'd like a cool washcloth on your forehead - if you'd like a sip of water - or if you just want somebody to be near you - your doula will do that. She'll do anything you need.

Your doula will help you understand clearly what's going on even when you don't think that you can. She'll help explain any procedures. Then you can decide what you truly want or don't want. She'll help you (and your partner) advocate for yourself and your baby.

The Nurses Can't do It

If you are giving birth at a hospital you may expect that a nurse will be able to do all these things for you. But the reality is that there are just not enough nurses to be able to give women one-on-one continuous attention.

Your nurse will be caring for several laboring women. You may also have two or more nurses caring for you and changing shifts while you are in labor.

A doula will stay with you from the time that you call her until your labor is done and you and your family are ready for her to leave.

Your doula is specially trained to know exactly how to best support you during labor and birth. You'll meet with her a few times throughout pregnancy to get to know her. She is there for you and only you.

Read Kate's birth experience with a doula.

"As I breathed through pushing contractions my doula was right there for me. Her strong, gentle eyes helped me move up and over each powerful push. She was like the calm in a storm for me. Her presence helped me push my baby out gently, with no tears." Kristen, USA

Doulas Help Dads (and All Labor Partners)

You might wonder why you need a doula if your partner is going to be at the birth. It's wonderful if your partner will be there for you - but a doula can enhance your birth partner's experience as well as yours.

Your doula can help your partner remember everything that was learned in childbirth classes. Doulas offer experienced suggestions on how your partner can help you.

If your partner is worried about being a "labor coach" he can relax and draw on the wisdom of your doula. She will give you the physical support you need during labor while you are reassured by your partner's presence.

Your partner will also be able to take breaks and go to the bathroom or get a drink because you will be well taken care of by your doula. Your partner's confidence will be increased by her presence. Her calm will help your partner stay calm.

A doula understands how women act instinctively during labor. What may seem strange or even scary to your partner is normal for your doula. She understands what positions you may want to get in and what vocalization may help you through labor. She can reassure your partner (and you!)

You can read an excellent article about how doulas help dads at DONA's website.

Postpartum Doulas

Doulas are not only wonderful during labor and birth. You can also have the assistance of an excellent postpartum doula. The postpartum doula is truly there to "mother the mother" and help care for the new family.

This doula is not a "baby nurse." Baby nurses are there to take care of the baby so that a "mother can rest." However this is not wonderful for the mother/baby bond - and can leave a new mother feeling lost when the nurse leaves.

A doula will help with your baby. But mostly she is there to help you and your family. She will do everything from helping you get to and from the shower to washing clothes to running errands. She'll cook meals and get your older children to school.

Your doula will be able to help you get breastfeeding off to a good start. She'll also be able to show you how to nurse lying down so that you can rest. After your baby has a full tummy, your doula can rock him or her while you shower.

Your doula can also teach you how to change diapers, bath your baby, dress your baby, swaddle you baby, or anything else that you may be nervous about. Or she can simply take care of everything so that you can get to know your new baby.

If you have older children and want some time with them your doula can rock your contended baby and give you time alone with them.

You can hire you postpartum doula to be there when you need her. Some doulas work a 9-5 shift. Others are there for only a few hours.

You can also hire a doula to stay overnight. An overnight doula will probably help you with diaper changes, bringing you snacks and drinks, and getting to the bathroom. If your baby is wakeful even after nursing you may like your doula to walk with him or rock her while you rest.

*Benefits of a doula present at the birth of a child. Martin T. Stein, John H. Kennell, Ann Fulcher. Pediatrics.
Nov 2004 v114 i5 pSS1488(4).
Full Text: COPYRIGHT 2004 American Academy of Pediatrics