What is a Doula? A More Natural and Organic Choice

In recent decades continuous support during the birthing process has become less and less. Long ago, the birth was attended only by a handful of women who had experience and the doctor if he got there in time. In our desire for a more natural and organic life, this support of pregnant women by women is making a comeback.

There are three different types of doulas:
What Can a Doula Do For You?
Birth Statistics with labor support:
Benefits of continuous labor support appear to be greater when women receive it:
Resources:

Favorite

Collect this page

The official Webster's meaning:

dou·la
Pronunciation: \ˈdü-lə\: Function: noun; Etymology: Mod Greek, female helper, maidservant, from Greek doulē female slave
Date: 1981

: a woman experienced in childbirth who provides advice, information, emotional support, and physical comfort to a mother before, during, and just after childbirth

There are three different types of doulas:

Antepartum Doula: Just like each baby is unique, each pregnancy is unique. There are a myriad of complications that can arise. Most doctors don't have the time to reassure the mother for the 50th time, it will be ok. If she has a question at 10:00pm, most doctors aren't going to personally answer their phone. That is where an antepartum doula steps in to fill the gap. She can give the mother the information they need, the reassurance most mothers with complications desire, even help out with light housework and errands if the mother is on bed rest.

Birth Doula: This the most popular and well known type. A doula is there to take charge of the situation and focus on the mother's needs. During the birthing process the mother can get "lost in the shuffle". Also, it can be a scary time especially if there are any complications. The nurses and doctors have other patients, however, the doula is there just for the mother. She has knowledge and experience to comfort the woman's nerves and have a more successful birthing experience. Usually, the doula will meet with the family at least a couple times before the birth. Several reviews have found that the type of person providing the care appears to make a difference. Labor support provided by caregivers who come to the labor setting expressly to provide this care appears to offer women more benefits than labor support provided by nurses or other clinical caregivers from that setting (Hodnett and colleagues 2004, Simkin and O'Hara 2002, Scott and colleagues 1999).

Postpartum Doula: The adjustment period once the family gets home can be the toughest. During the postpartum time, the doula visits the home during an agreed upon time. Such care might include cooking for the mother, breastfeeding support, newborn care assistance, errands, light housekeeping etc. In some cases, postpartum care may last longer than the typical 6 weeks, if perhaps the mother suffers from postpartum depression, had a child with special needs, or gave birth to multiples.

What Can a Doula Do For You?

Recognizes birth as a key life experience that the mother will remember all her life.
Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor.
Assists the woman and her partner in preparing for and caring out their plans for the birth.
Stays by the side of the laboring woman throughout the entire labor.
Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, an objective viewpoint and assistance to the woman in getting the information she needs to make good decisions.
Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner, and clinical providers.

Perceives her role as one who nurtures and protects the woman’s memory of her birth experience.

Birth Statistics with labor support:

26% less likely to give birth by cesarean section
41% less likely to give birth with vacuum extraction or forceps
28% less likely to use any pain medications and
33% less likely to be dissatisfied with or negatively rate their birth experience (Hodnett and colleagues 2004).

Benefits of continuous labor support appear to be greater when women receive it:

beginning earlier rather later in labor (Hodnett and colleagues 2004, Simkin and O'Hara 2002)
in settings that do not allow them to bring companions of choice (versus settings that do allow husbands, friends, etc.) (Hodnett and colleagues 2004, Simkin and O'Hara 2002)
in settings where epidural analgesia is not routine (versus settings where epidural is routine) (Hodnett and colleagues 2004).

Resources:

Find a local doula
What to ask a prospective doula

References:
Hodnett ED. Pain and women's satisfaction with the experience of childbirth: a systematic review. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 186,5 (2002) S160-72.

Hodnett ED, Gates S, Hofmeyr G J, Sakala C. Continuous support for women during childbirth [PDF]. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2003, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD003766. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003766.

Simkin PP and O'Hara MA. Nonpharmacologic relief of pain during labor: systematic reviews of five methods. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 186,5 (2002) S131-59.