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 * Recognizes birth as a key
experience the mother will remember all her life
* Understands the
physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
* Assists the woman in preparing
for and carrying out her plans for birth
* Stays with the woman
throughout the labor
* Provides emotional
support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as
helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decision
* Facilitates communication
between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers
* Perceives her role as
nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience
* Allows the woman's
partner to participate at his/her comfort level
