Questions
What is a Doula?Doula is a greek word meaning "woman caregiver". Today a birth doula is a trained, non-medical person, who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support, to women and their partner during labor and birth as well as during the immediate postpartum period. The doula's role is to assist parents in having the type of birthing experience they desire. Please read What is a Doula?
What is the benefit of hiring a doula?
Studies have shown that hiring a doula reduces the mom's chance of a cesarean section, shortens the length of labor, decreases the pain medication required, enhances bonding and breastfeeding. (The Doula Book: M. Klaus, Kennell, P. Klaus)
Is a doula different from a midwife?
Yes! A doula's primary purpose is emotional and physical support of the laboring woman. Doulas provide only non-clinical support for the laboring woman. Doulas do NOT perform any clinical procedures such as: checking baby's heart rate, vaginal exams, blood pressure checks or delivering/catching the baby. Those clinical procedures are the responsibility of the woman's careprovider (Midwife or Doctor).
Does a doula only attend non-medicated or "natural" births?
No! This is another common misconception! Doulas do NOT only attend "natural" births. Doulas attend a wide variety of births in many different settings (hospital, birth center and home). Doulas believe that women need support during labor/birth no matter what type of birth the mother is having, whether it be a cesarean section, high intervention birth or a birth free from interventions. It is the mother's choice as to what type of birth she wants and it is the doula's role to support the woman's choice. A doula is not present to impose her own beliefs on how a mother should birth, but rather to truly support the choices made by the mother. It is the mother's birth!
