What's a Doula

When my daughter, Bonnie, was expecting her first child in May of 2014, she asked me f I thought she should hire a doula.  I said, "What's a doula?" By the time she was ready to deliver I was halfway through the certification process and able to serve at her birth as a doula in training.

I learned that a Labor Doula’s calling is to provide physical, emotional and informational support to expectant mothers and their families before, during and after birth.

In the last trimester of pregnancy, the doula helps the mother and partner to develop their birth preferences by guiding them to think about the issues they will face during labor and delivery and providing information to enable them to make informed decisions about their choices.  She provides contact information and resources to help the couple make choices about providers of newborn care, breastfeeding support and other needs the new family may have.

During labor the doula supports the mom and her partner with her continuous presence, knowledge and concern.  She will answer many diverse questions that come up during labor and help the mom to feel as comfortable and secure as possible.

Unlike the health professionals who work on shifts, and the doctor who is only there on rounds and once the baby’s head crowns, the doula is there from the time active labor begins until the baby has had his/her first feeding offering comfort measures, reflective listening and informational support.

Although the birthing mom has made efforts to learn as much as possible about the birthing process, the intensity of the real thing may catch her off guard and cause her to forget much of what she has read.  The doula has attended many births and is able to remind the birthing couple that what they are experiencing is normal, that they are making progress, and that their labor will have an amazing reward.

The doula provides physical support through all five of mom’s senses in attempt to keep her feeling secure and peaceful.

• Sight- dim lights, focal points
• Hearing- music, soft encouraging words, rhythm
• Touch- massage, hot or cold compresses, a cool washcloth, counter-pressure
• Taste- lollipops or honey sticks
• Smell- scented oils or lotions

The doula can also help to keep the atmosphere in the room conducive to her feeling of security and peacefulness.  If other family members or friends have been allowed to witness the birth she can help them to understand the importance of keeping quiet and focusing on clients needs. If anyone is contrary to the birthing mom’s needs the doula can be the one to politely ask them to step out if the mom asks her too.

After the birth the doula is present in the background to see that the golden hour after birth is a gratifying as it should be.  She is aware of the couple’s preferences and will try to see that they are considered.  This may include taking pictures or a video, bringing in waiting family members or delivering the news to the waiting room to allow the couple alone time with the new baby.

If things go wrong the doula can play an important role in reducing the trauma of the situation by helping the mom to feel in control and secure.

I loved being pregnant, giving birth and having babies. I did it eight times and was sad when my biological clock said time's up.  I feeled privileged and excited to be able to contribute to making childbirth the exciting, amazing and life changing event it is supposed to be for my clients.