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Briefly, a doula (Greek: “woman’s servant”) is a supportive companion, professionally trained to provide labor support. Experienced in childbirth, a doula provides physical, emotional, and informational support to women and their partners during labor and birth. The doula advises on breathing, relaxation, movement, positioning, etc., and helps families gather information about the course of their labor, and their options. Perhaps her most crucial role is the provision of continuous emotional reassurance and comfort. The doula’s goal is to help provide a safe and satisfying childbirth as the client defines it.
Doctors, nurses, and midwives focus on medical issues, assessing the conditions of the mother and fetus, diagnosing and treating complications as they arise, and focusing on the safe delivery of the baby; these rightly take precedence over the non-medical psychosocial needs of laboring women. The doula helps ensure that these latter needs are met, while enhancing communication and understanding between the woman or couple and the staff. Studies indicate that doula-assisted births provide increased mother/infant bonding, improved pain management, and decreased incidence of complications.
Further details on these studies, and the role of doulas in general, can be found in “The Doula’s Contribution to Modern Maternity Care”.
This Web site is still in its infancy. I plan to include more information on the varied roles of doulas, the services I provide, and other related topics. Meanwhile, though, you’re welcome to contact me at any time. Thanks for your interest. —
Lynne
