A doula is a person, generally a woman, who provides informational, emotional, physical and advocacy support during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period.
Doulas are individuals and each of us has her/his own strengths and areas of expertise. There are assistants with different specialties such as fertility, high-risk pregnancies, difficult birth circumstances, adoption, breastfeeding, postpartum depression and so on.
Many assistants attend births; however there are doulas that contract exclusively for Pregnancy and/or Postpartum support.
Doulas work for the client and while they should compliment the caregiver and birthplace they serve only the clients wishes. Doulas provide advocacy by supporting informed choice. A doula should never speak for her client or interfere with her client's ability to make the choices that are right for them. The doula only ensures that the client has the information necessary to make decisions that are right for them and then the doula supports those choices 100%. Sometimes this means that the information the doula provides may seem to contradict the practices of the provider. This is because, just as each doula is different in the way they practice, each doctor/midwife has a different style of practice and different practice protocols. It is important that all on the birth team, provider, staff, support person, friends and family are able to support the wants and needs of the birthing woman. If one piece of the puzzle does not fit then the support will faultier which may create tension and unhappiness. It is the Patient/clients responsibility to ensure that those who she has asked to attend to her during her pregnancy and birth support her in the way she needs to be supported. This means as patient and client you should hire those who agree with your views and will support your needs and wants 100%. Your birth team works for you and you are the one in charge of the choices you make. A doula can help you sort through your options, define your needs and wants and offer you the physical and emotional support you desire.
FEES AND SERVICES: No one is ever turned away! Volunteer services available.
There have been several studies, articles and books written about doula support. The most famous is *Mothering the Mother by Klaus, Kennel and Klaus. In their studies they found that the presence of a doula:
*Reduced c-sections by 50%
*Reduced the length of labor by 25%
*Reduced oxytocin use by 40%
*Reduced the need for pain medication by 30%
*Reduced the need for forceps by 40%
*Reduced requests for epidurals by 60%
Klaus stated "Doula support enhances the well being of mothers and babies, leads to fewer medical interventions in the process of labor and delivery and saves money for the individual and the hospital. "
A doula can also enhance the satisfaction of the birthing mother with her birth, her partner, heightens self esteem and bonding with the baby, increases breastfeeding success, reduces feeding problems and has even been shown to bolster the fathers involvement during birth and heighten satisfaction with the birth.
Sun Buddies Doula Service Pregnancy and Birth Assistant
The Doula, Your Provider and You
There are generally two issues brought up when considering a doula for your support.
The first is dad and doula.
The doula will never replace the partner! The doulas job is to enhance the relationship between the mother and her partner. Research says that doulas do exactly this by creating a warm, trusting environment for the parents to communicate in. Whether it be backing decisions, closing doors for privacy or actively helping with the birth the doula is a support person for both parents, not just mom.
Dad will relax and touch mom more with doula support, knowing that they are also supported. Dads who have a hard time with expression look to the doula for guidance and become more comfortable with touch and expression with the slightest of encouragement.
The second is the provider.
There are so many wonderful, empowering and supportive providers available for the care of you and your baby. Providers who realize they are a form of support, hired to assist the birthing family should emergency or medical need arise. These special providers assist families in creating the birth they desire and never focus on the intervention but the emotional well being of the birthing family.
As the consumer you are the one who must make the choices in your care. Your provider gives you specialty care, offering information and advice to assist you in your healthcare choices.
It is your choice what kind of birth you want; it is the doulas job to support those choices 100%. The doula is as much a part of your birth team as the nurses, providers and family you will have present, and yet works solely for you!
