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What is a Doula?
"Doula" (pronounced "doola") is a Greek word meaning "woman servant or caregiver". It now refers to an experienced woman who offers emotional and practical support to a woman (or couple) before, during and after childbirth. A doula believes in “mothering the mother” - enabling a woman to have the most satisfying and empowered time that she can during pregnancy, birth and the early days as a new mum. This type of support also helps the whole family to relax and enjoy the experience.
If you are expecting and don't have extended family on hand (mother, mother-in-law, sisters) or if you prefer not to have to rely on them at this time. If you want to look after your baby yourself, but would welcome support from an experienced mother, then a doula can help. Women helping women through birth is an ancient practice, but as childbirth moved from the home to the hospital, sadly this valuable support and care began to disappear. Women no longer always have one-to-one support from midwives during pregnancy and birth. This can have a dramatic affect on a woman's confidence and is why continuous care through pregnancy, labour and birth is invaluable. A doula is there to "mother the mother", to support and help mothers and their families during pregnancy, birth and postnatally and for as long and as often as you want. Support from a doula provides physical and emotional benefits for mothers and health bonuses for their babies. Having a birth doula present during labour and birth has shown to lead to less medical intervention, fewer complications and shorter hospital stays. A doula can ease the pressure, making the experience much more enjoyable and memorable, as it should be.
Birth doulas are experienced in childbirth, although they may or may not have given birth themselves. They have a good knowledge and awareness of female physiology. Before the birth a doula will usually meet with the mother (or couple) to prepare for the birth and get to know each other. There will be an open line of communication via phone or email. A doula will encourage you to learn about labour, prepare for the birth, put together a birth plan and help with preparations for your baby.
During the labour the doula is able to offer help and suggestions on comfort measures such as breathing, relaxation, movement and positioning. The doula can also support and encourage the father to participate in the birth to a level at which he feels comfortable. It is important that the doula provides a nurturing, supportive and reassuring environment.
Every birth is unique; therefore the services offered by a doula vary greatly according to the needs of the mother/couple. A doula needs to be flexible to fit in with the given situation e.g. the type of support will differ for a first time mum to that of a woman who has children already.
After the birth the doula will follow up with a postnatal visit to help the new mum settle at home with her new baby, or alternatively, the mother may decide to employ a postnatal doula for a period of 6 - 8 weeks.
Postnatal doulas work flexible hours to suit the family, offering practical and emotional support to the new mother and father in the home following the birth of baby. Sometimes this will mean that the mother employs a different doula to the one that attended the birth as not all birth doulas can offer extended postnatal support, whereas there are doulas who ONLY offer this type of postnatal support.
To find a Doula, please see our recommended service providers or visit :-
Article kindly provided by Sharon Budworth www.birthandmore.co.uk
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