Role of the Doula
Doulas are professional caregivers for pregnant women and new mothers. Practically, doulas have been assisting laboring women for thousands of years as mothers, sisters or friends. The name “Doula” is an ancient Greek name for a servant, which is essentially the doula’s role during labor and delivery. A doula is an expert in normal childbirth and is aware of the normal variations during labor as well as the standard medical treatments given at the hospital.
A doula does not provide any medical treatments or make any decisions for their clients. Instead, doulas focus on educating women and their loved ones so they can make the right choices for their new family.
The professional doula first appeared in the early 1970’s around the same time as the natural birth movement. The demand for doulas has steadily risen since then and doulas are now a common sight in area hospitals. Although the profession grew out of the natural birth movement, women are now hiring doulas for medicated and cesarean births as they have now filled the role of advocate and educator as well as support.
Benefits of Doula Care
Doulas have been proven to both lower cesarean sections and increase the emotional well-being of first time mothers with partner support. The benefits to women in vulnerable populations are significantly higher.
“For middle-class women laboring with the support of their male partner, the continuous presence of a Doula during labor significantly decreased the likelihood of cesarean delivery and reduced the need for epidural analgesia. Women and their male partners were unequivocal in their positive opinions about laboring with the support of a Doula.”
-McGrath, SK; Kennell, JH
A randomized controlled trial of continuous labor support for middle-class couples: effect on
cesarean delivery rates.
Doulas are professional caregivers for pregnant women and new mothers. Practically, doulas have been assisting laboring women for thousands of years as mothers, sisters or friends. The name “Doula” is an ancient Greek name for a servant, which is essentially the doula’s role during labor and delivery. A doula is an expert in normal childbirth and is aware of the normal variations during labor as well as the standard medical treatments given at the hospital.
A doula does not provide any medical treatments or make any decisions for their clients. Instead, doulas focus on educating women and their loved ones so they can make the right choices for their new family.
The professional doula first appeared in the early 1970’s around the same time as the natural birth movement. The demand for doulas has steadily risen since then and doulas are now a common sight in area hospitals. Although the profession grew out of the natural birth movement, women are now hiring doulas for medicated and cesarean births as they have now filled the role of advocate and educator as well as support.
Benefits of Doula Care
Doulas have been proven to both lower cesarean sections and increase the emotional well-being of first time mothers with partner support. The benefits to women in vulnerable populations are significantly higher.
“For middle-class women laboring with the support of their male partner, the continuous presence of a Doula during labor significantly decreased the likelihood of cesarean delivery and reduced the need for epidural analgesia. Women and their male partners were unequivocal in their positive opinions about laboring with the support of a Doula.”
-McGrath, SK; Kennell, JH
A randomized controlled trial of continuous labor support for middle-class couples: effect on
cesarean delivery rates.
