Why get a doula?
THINGS TO CONSIDER
Doulas are professionals, educated in childbirth, who provide emotional, physical, and educational support for women who are pregnant, in labor, and in the postpartum period. The doula’s purpose is to help women have a safe, memorable, and empowering birthing experience.
Oh how I wish I had a doula fee for every time someone asked me “what is a doula?” or someone thinks a doula is a midwife. We are not the same.
Doulas are a trained support and education system. We are there for you from beginning to end and often beyond, not performing any of the clinical duties, but rather getting to focus on caring and supporting the mama, and the family. I’m so happy to get to fulfill this dream of supporting moms! It’s time to get this birth ball bouncing.
What is a doula
The word “doula” comes from the ancient Greek meaning “a woman who serves” and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.
What are the benefits of working with a doula?
Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily.
Why should you work with a doula?
- A doula recognizes birth as a key experience mothers and fathers will remember all their life
- They understand the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a mother in labor
- A doula will assist the mama giving birth and their husband in preparing for and carrying out their plans
- Doulas will stay with the mother throughout the labor
- They provide emotional support, physical comfort measures, and an objective viewpoint, as well as, helping the person in labor and their partner get the information they need to make informed decisions
- Doulas facilitate communication between the mother, their husband, and their clinical care providers
- Doulas perceive their role as nurturing and protecting the parents’ memory of the birth experience
- Allows the father to participate at their comfort level