The word  “doula” comes from ancient Greek, meaning “a woman who serves.” It is now used to mean a trained and experienced professional who provides physical, emotional and informational support to mothers during pregnancy, birth, and just after; or a professional who provides emotional, educational and practical support in the postpartum period. There are different kinds of doulas, with the most common being “birth” and “postpartum”. (We offer services for both!) 

Birth Doula: A birth doula is a person who is experienced and trained in childbirth. They provide whatever continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother that is needed, before, during and just after childbirth. Birth doulas usually meet with you in person a few times during early pregnancy, and then continue to keep touch with you throughout. They are there to help you whenever you need with any questions and to help you feel ready. They help you to prepare and carry out your birth plans as much as they can. Doulas understand that birth is an amazing, powerful and spiritual experience that a mother will remember all her life. They know that its so much more than just the physical experience, and that laboring mothers have both physiological and emotional needs during this time. She assists with providing any information you need to make the decisions that you feel are the best for you and your baby.  She also helps to facilitate communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers. Once your labor begins and you decide you that are ready for her, she will come and join you. She will remain with you and support you throughout your entire labor and for a few hours after.

The doula’s role varies from client to client and depending on the needs at the time. Sometimes this is a very physical task of massaging, hip-squeezes and other comfort techniques, fetching water, or offering suggestions for positions to try and ways to help labor progress. Sometimes its mostly informational support and advocacy, helping you get the details that you need to make the choices that YOU feel are are best for you and your family. …Other times its even simply being present, being a calm familiar face, reassuring you and your partner that everything is normal and good. Often the role of the doula is all of these. Doulas also help enable the partner to support you more fully by giving them breaks for food and rest when needed, so that there aren’t any gaps in your care. She wants to help nurture and protecting the mother’s memories of the birth experience, and that they are positive.

Postpartum Doula: A Postpartum Doula’s job changes from day to day, as the needs of the family change. Postpartum doulas offer education, companionship and nonjudgmental support during the postpartum fourth trimester. She does whatever a mother needs to best enjoy and care for her new baby. A large part of their role is education. They share information about baby care, infant soothing and coping skills for new parents, as well as teach the siblings and partners to “mother the mother.” They assist with breastfeeding education, and trouble-shooting any problems she might be having (both physically and emotionally). Postpartum doulas assist with newborn care, family adjustment, running errands, meal preparation and light household tidying. They make sure the mother is fed, well hydrated, relaxed and comfortable.

 

Women have complex needs during childbirth and the weeks that follow. In addition to medical care and the love and companionship provided by their partners, women need consistent, continuous reassurance, comfort, encouragement and respect. They need individualized care based on their circumstances and preferences. Trained doulas are educated and experienced in childbirth and the postpartum period. We are prepared to provide physical (non-medical), emotional and informational support to women and their partners during labor and birth, as well as to families in the weeks following childbirth.

Numerous clinical studies have found that a doula’s presence at birth can have a positive impact in many ways:

• tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications
• reduces negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience
• reduces the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction and cesareans
• reduces the mother’s request for pain medication and/or epidurals
• helps the mother to feel more secure and cared for
• helps new parents be more successful in adapting to new family dynamics
• there is greater success with breastfeeding
• mothers have greater self-confidence
• mothers have less postpartum depression and there’s a lower incidence of abuse

    As your doula, I can help you and your partner navigate the often-complex process surrounding a cesarean birth. I will hold the space for your family, helping to remind everyone involved that birth is a deeply emotional and spiritual process, not a medical event, even when medical care is involved. You may need to get special permission for me stay with you during the birth, but even if that is not possible, I can join you after the birth, while your partner goes to the nursery with the baby, so that you are not left unsupported in the surgery room. Breastfeeding and caring for your baby are sometimes more challenging after a cesarean birth, and as your doula, I will provide support and encouragement while you overcome those challenges. 

    This depends on your preferences and on your midwife. Some midwives work with apprentices who often may also fill the role of a doula. Most midwives offer a very high level of emotional support, regardless of whether they work alone or with apprentices. There are other benefits to hiring a doula separately, however. You can interview several doulas to ensure the best relationship. Also, having a doula at your homebirth ensures that the level of emotional support will be maintained even in the event of  an emergency, during which the midwife and apprentice could be too busy to offer much emotional support. As your doula, I will also provide an increased level of postpartum support. 

     Baby nurses bring medical expertise to childcare, while a doula is a non-medical professional who is trained to support new families. Nannies take over childcare responsibilities from the parents, while your doula will work to empower you as a parent.