The word Doula is Greek for "Woman's Servant" and as such, a doula is a woman who assists a pregnant woman and her partner before, during and just after the birth of their baby. The certified doula is trained to provide emotional support from the home to the hospital and home again. She serves as an advocate, labour coach and support person, and provides added comfort for the family throughout the entire labour. A doula also helps ease the transition to the hospital environment and is present throughout the many hospital staff and physician shift changes. She helps provide continuity in the mother's care during her time at the hospital. What is the difference between a doula and a midwife?Doulas do not perform clinical tasks. A doula is skilled in non-medicinal areas. Some of these are, explanations of medical procedures, natural pain relief such as position changes, massage, reassurance, and most importantly, continuous support throughout the labour and birth of the baby. A doula has first-hand knowledge and understanding of what the labouring woman is going through and provides objective support which is beneficial to both the mother and her partner.A midwife performs all of the clinical tasks, and she assists the woman in delivering her baby. A midwife has medical background and is hired privately to replace the medical staff. A doula provides informational, emotional and physical support and is not qualified to deliver a baby. Does a doula replace the birth partner's role?Not at all! Often the partner feels pressure to know how to help the labouring woman. When a doula is present, that pressure is removed. An experienced doula will anticipate the needs of the labouring woman and therefore enable the partner to better assist her. This strengthens the partner's role and lets him or her feel like a bigger part of the birth process.Isn't the doula a stranger?At first, yes, the doula is a stranger but you will have spent several hours getting to know each other during the pre-natal visits. The doula also is readily available to answer any of your questions during the last 4 weeks of your pregnancy. She will be the professional that you are comfortable with in your home. During your time labouring at the hospital, your doula will be with you constantly unlike the physicians and other hospital staff who have shift changes and other patients to attend to.What are the benefits of having a doula?The doula is a constant presence when medical professionals are unable to continuously be with the birthing couple. Typically, a doula is a trained childbirth professional who understands the labour and birth process. When a woman feels comfortable in her surroundings and feels safe in the care that she has, often medical interventions are minimized because the mother trusts her body and is ready to allow natural childbirth to take place.The doula must abide by a Code of Ethics and Standards and Scope of Practice. Certification is highly recommended. Numerous studies have shown that the presence of a doula at a birth results in:
Are there differences between doulas?Doulas come from all backgrounds, and differ greatly with their experiences as well as their philosophies. Training and certification programs vary greatly. While certification is highly recommended, it is not mandatory. Some doulas have Childbirth Education Certificates, while most do not. |
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Karen Nistor
CAPPA Certified Labour Doula
© 2007 Gentle Kare Birth Support