"The ACOG (American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) recommends the use of a continuous support person in labor to prevent c-section!"
WHAT IS BEING SAID
“The continuous help of a doula improves a woman’s chances of using less pain medication or avoiding it altogether if this is what she wants.
The doula accomplishes this with encouragement, reassurance, information, and guidance in the use of techniques that lessen pain and help labor progress. A doula brings confidence, empathy, experience, and understanding to a birth.”
--Ina May Gaskin,
“Ina May’s Guide to Natural Childbirth."
|
The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period. Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily. A Birth Doula
Are doulas only useful if planning an un-medicated birth? The presence of a doula can be beneficial no matter what type of birth you are planning. Many women report needing fewer interventions when they have a doula.The primary role of the doula is to help mothers have a safe and happy birth experience and to help them choose the type of birth they desire.For women who have decided to have a medicated birth, the doula can provide emotional support to her and her family, informational support and comfort measures through labor and the administration of medications. Doulas work with medicated mothers to help them deal with possible side effects and other needs where medication might be inadquate, because even with medication, there is always a good use for a doula to help with other comfort measures. For a mother facing a cesarean, a doula can be helpful by providing constant support and encouragement. Often a cesarean results from an unexpected situation leaving mothers feeling unprepared, disappointed and lonely. A doula can be a wonderful asset to mothers at all times throughout the cesarean, letting them know what is going on throughout the procedure. This can free the partner to attend to the baby and accompany the newborn to the nursery if there are complications. |
What are the Benefits of Having a Doula? Numerous studies have documented the benefits of having a doula present during labor. A recent Cochrane Review, Continuous Support for Women During Childbirth, showed a very high number of positive birth outcomes when a doula was present. With the support of a doula, women were less likely to have pain relief medications administered, less likely to have a cesarean birth, and reported having a more positive childbirth experience. Dads and Doulas We are not there to take the place of a partner but simply help guide and take the stress off of them. With us at their side they don't need to figure out on their own what stage of labor their loved one is in and what is going to happen next. We have helped many nervous dads overcome their fears and participate at their level of comfort. We believe that if a father feels comfortable and informed every step of the way the end result is a greater support to the mother in labor. We are the one constant person that will be by your side from laboring in your home to your place of birth. We look at every birth as a "team" effort with the end goal of having a happy healthy, baby & family. We believe support for the partner and family is extremely important. |
