What is a Birth Doula???

A birth professional trained in the process of childbirth and an experienced labor companion that gives continuous, one on one support to the mother and her birthing team. Birth Doulas are trained to provide physical comfort, as well as emotional and mental support, and assistance with receiving information throughout the whole birthing process

What does a Birth doula do???

A Birth doula’s main goal is to provide the woman in labor with continuous support in anyway that is needed and to protect the birthing space. A birth doula…

-knows that birth is such an intimate and raw moment that will be forever remembered.

-helps to prepare the woman and her partner for birth.

-can help assist with putting the birth plan together

-helps make communication easier between the laboring woman, her partner, and the medical birth team.

-provides emotional support

-physical comfort measures

-a constant presence

-assists in making sure the woman in labor has all the information she needs to make the right decisions that are the best for her.

What is discussed during a Prenatal visit???

Since birth is such an intimate experience, prenatal visits are a great way for the family to get to know the doula and vice versa. During a prenatal visit, we will chat about…

-become acquainted with the details of the birth: Location, care provider, birth team, etc

-their desires, wishes, and needs for labor and birth

-will form a birth plan based off of their desires.

-Help them prepare and decide for if/when their birth plan changes

-talk about past birth experiences.

How does a Doula support during labor???

Physical Support is a great way to help the woman in labor feel comfortable and confident throughout the pain. It also gives them control of how they labor. How a doula can provide physical support:
- creating a safe, calm, and relaxing environment for the woman in labor
- soothing with touch through massage, counter pressure, or a rebozo.
- assisting with walking/ movement
- assisting with position changes
- Rhythmic breathing
- body positions to try to help the woman in labor progress
- applying warmth and cold
- assisting with the shower and tub
- helping with water, ice, and food
Emotional Support is another way that helps with woman in labor by giving her a sense of empowerment and confidence. I always say a supported woman is a happy woman. In order to give birth she needs to feel supported and heard.
- keeping her calm and relaxed
- feedback and verbal reminders
- Patience
- continuous presence
- encouragment
- reassuance
- accepting what the woman in labor wants
- Giving her constant focus
- shows empathy
- embracing
- match her mood
- take contractions one at a time
Informational support is important because it keeps the woman in labor and their partner in the know when it comes to what is going on. This gives them evidence based information about their options.
- Guiding them through the stages of labor
- suggesting different techniques for pain management, relaxation. breathing, and positioning.
- position techniques are important with and without a epidural.
- helping give evidence based facts about different procedures
- helping partner help in anyway they want to.

How can a doula help during the pushing stage???

-A doula will continue to support during pushing:

suggest positions
breathing
take pictures
keep the woman in labor in good spirits and calm
count
explain the process
warm or cold compress for head and perineum
make sure the wishes of the woman in labor are being fulfilled within medical reasoning

How does a doula help during postpartum???