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Many expectant parents who desire extra support
beyond that provided by their medical birth team
often hire a doula to provide assistance during the
time before, during and after their baby’s birth.
A doula is a trained professional who provides
information, physical support and emotional support
to her clients but does not provide medical services.
Research published in The American Journal of
Managed Care showed that the support of a doula
can help reduce the need for C-section births and
reduce the need for having labor induced.
A BIRTH DOULA IS THERE TO SUPPORT HER
CLIENT DURING BABY’S BIRTH
A birth doula is there to provide support, comfort
and information but not to make decisions for her
client during labor and delivery. Once you select
your doula and hire her, she will meet with you to
become familiar with your birth plan or to help you
write one. A birth plan is the story of what you would
consider the ideal birthing experience. Doulas guide
clients through the process of planning the birth by
providing balanced information, after becoming
familiar with the details of her client’s pregnancy
and any complications that have occurred. Let your
doula know which childbirth classes you have taken
so she knows what types of breathing and relaxation
exercises you learned and can coach you through
them once labor begins.
During labor and delivery, a doula does not try to take
the place of her client’s partner, if he wishes to be the
birth coach. She is there then to ‘coach the coach’
and advise the partner on how to best meet the
needs of his laboring partner. A doula can teach her
client’s partner how to provide comfort measures,
like massage, and is there to stand in for him when
he gets tired and needs to step out for a coffee
break. Some birth doulas are also certified lactation
consultants and can help get breastfeeding off to a
good start after delivery.
Even if you
are having a
C-Section birth,
a doula can still be a valuable member of your
birth team. For clients having a C-Section birth,
the doula can help her client understand what is
happening in each step of the procedure and provide
emotional support. She then helps ensure her client
is comfortable when she is in recovery after the
procedure.
SOME DOULAS HELP THE MOTHER BEFORE
AND AFTER BABY’S BIRTH
In addition to being a birth doula, some doulas also
serve as antenatal doulas and postpartum doulas.
An antenatal doula supports expectant moms who
are on bed rest by doing light housework and helping
provide any information her client needs to be able
to make decisions. This is in addition to being a
calm, caring source of emotional support during this
difficult time. A postpartum doula helps a new mom
in the first few weeks after bringing baby home
from the hospital and some postpartum doulas are
also lactation consultants who can help resolve any
breastfeeding troubles. A postpartum doula may
even teach baby massage techniques and help care
for a fussy baby.
GIVE YOURSELF ENOUGH TIME TO FIND THE
DOULA RIGHT FOR YOU
It is a good idea to start looking for a doula a few
months before your due date. Ask candidates for their
resumes, which should include their certifications.
The professional training and certification for
doulas is provided by organizations such as DONA
International or CAPPA. To find a doula, search the
DONA International database of certified doulas at
dona.org or ask your midwife for a referral.
Hoo’s helpful
Using a Doula
For a list of local birthing resources, visit: familyandkidsga.com/cat/womens-services
/dona.org
/womens-services
