What is a Doula?

A doula supports a woman and her partner during pregnancy, birth, and the early weeks of parenting, with reassurance, practical assistance, and information. A doula is someone you come to know well by the time of your birth, and who is there during your labor, by your side, focused solely on you and your partner. She can encourage you, remain objective, and help your partner feel more confident about how to support you. She can also assist you with practical knowledge on comfort measures for labor, such as massage and suggestions for positioning. A doula can provide information when you have questions, and can help you communicate most effectively with your medical caregivers. The main focus of a doula's role is often on the birth itself, but doula support can also be invaluable during pregnancy (especially if you face questions about tests or

complications), and after the birth when she can help out with feeding and adjusting to life with a newborn.

There are a few things a doula is not. She is not acting as a nurse or midwife, so she does not provide clinical care such as doing examinations on you or checking your baby's heartbeat. The support a doula provides fits together with, but does not replace, the care of your doctor, midwife, or nurses. Doulas do not make decisions for you, or speak for you. This is your birth, your baby, your life!
A doula supports you by providing information and explanations you may want about your choices, but it's always you who decides what's best for you.

Doulas make a difference!
The research has shown that
having a doula at your birth
can make a real difference to
the outcome.

The risk of an emergency
cesarean is reduced, as well as
the chances of other
interventions happening like
episiotomy and assisted
delivery.

How a mother interacts with
her baby, her satisfaction with
her birth and her relationship
with her partner are all rated
significantly higher with
women who have had a doula
compared to those who have
not!

Choosing A Doula

How can I pick the right doula for me? Where do I even start? You might be nervous about interviewing doulas. Or unsure what steps to take first. Start with identifying what you want from your doula. Reassurance? Physical support and comfort during labor? Specialized expertise in attending twin births or VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean)? Knowing what you want is the first step to making sure you get it! Likewise, a good doula finds out what you want and works toward that, instead of offering a "one size fits all" service. Keep in mind that the doula who is right for you may not be the one who has attended the most births, but could be the one who can offer the support you need and with whom you and your partner "click" the best. Consider the following when you're speaking to a doula you're thinking about hiring:

• how much time does she spend doing the talking during your conversation? how much time does she spend listening to you? A good doula listens a lot!

• how much does she include your partner in her questions and discussions?

• do you feel able to speak your mind with her or are you worried about what she will think?

• do you feel this is someone you would enjoy getting to know and appreciate having present at your birth?

• what kind of formal training or work experience has she had as a doula? Some doulas have had basic training with a weekend workshop, while others have done months of extensive study, and still others have been trained "on the job" with no formal schooling; is there a particular training background that is important to you? Check the website of your doula's training organization to find out more about her

formal qualifications.

If there is something specific you are looking for, or a particular concern you have, ask her how she has supported other parents in your situation. In the end, listen to your instincts!