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WHAT DOES A DOULA DO AS PART OF YOUR PREGNANCY AND POSTPARTUM JOURNEY ???
Continuous, One-on-one Support By Birth Doulas Has Been Shown To Reduce Interventions And Improve Birth Outcomes.
Katz, Bonita. (2018) The Role and Scope of the Birth Doula. International Childbirth Education Association.
The concept of companionship during labor is well-documented from ancient times to the present. Today research overwhelmingly confirms that the presence of someone trained in labour support (ie a birth Doula) benefits the labouring woman (or birth parent) and family in many ways.
As a Doula accompanies a birth parent in labor, her primary responsibility is to be present in every sense. A Doula provides continuous care. Birth Doulas provide care in a variety of locations and situations: at home, in birth centers, and in hospitals; during medicated and un-medicated vaginal births and in the operating room for cesarean births. Doulas also offer information to the partner or others present during the birth to help them understand the labour process and to possibly suggest comfort measures that they can use to help the birth parent during labour.
As a Doula accompanies a birth parent in labor, her primary responsibility is to be present in every sense. A Doula provides continuous care. Birth Doulas provide care in a variety of locations and situations: at home, in birth centers, and in hospitals; during medicated and un-medicated vaginal births and in the operating room for cesarean births. Doulas also offer information to the partner or others present during the birth to help them understand the labour process and to possibly suggest comfort measures that they can use to help the birth parent during labour.
The Support A Postpartum Doula Provides Can Have A Lasting And Important Impact On The Family
Hardy, Michelle, MS (2017) The Role and Scope of the Postpartum Doula. International Childbirth Education Association.
Postpartum support provides families with increased confidence in their new roles, a greater satisfaction in the breastfeeding experience as well as the duration, and fewer incidences of postpartum depression. Postpartum Doulas focus on “mothering the mother” by ensuring the parent receives proper nutrition, sufficient fluids, and rest so that they can heal. The Doula is also a companion who can listen to the parent, provide options, resources and referrals so that there can be a reduction in feelings of anxiety, stress, and isolation. The postpartum Doula assists the family in the postpartum period by attending to the needs of other family members, making sure they have enough attention, providing reassurance, nourishment and helps to keep an organized house to help the entire family during their transition. Postpartum Doulas provide essential support to help families get the best possible start with their new baby.
In 2016, among other recommendations, The World Health Organization stated that “one potential way to improve quality of care during childbirth in health facilities may be for women (or birth parents) to be continuously supported by another person throughout labour.” |
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