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The word "doula" is a Greek word meaning female
servant. The doula in a Greek home had a very
important role, as do doulas today.The word has come
to refer to "a woman experienced in childbirth who
provides continuous physical, emotional, and
informational support to the mother before, during
and just after childbirth."
(Kennell & Klaus, The Doula Book)
A doula is essentially a mother for the mother. She is
trained to provide emotional and physical support prior
to , during, and after birth. She is knowledgeable
about the process of birth and the postpartum time. She
is an advocate for the mother and her wishes as well as a
listening ear. She can help the birthing mother's partner participate in the birth at their
comfort level, giving suggestions and advice for their participation.
Not only can a doula do all of the above, but she actually can effect the total outcome of
your birth. The research has been done and the statistics will tell you that doulas actually
improve birth! What do those statistics say anyway...
Every woman deserves to have the best birth possible, and as you can see, a doula is the first
step.
Below is the Standards of Practice from DONA. They clearly and accurately describe the
roles that doulas have, and do not have in a birth. Reading them may help to clarify what
role a doula would have in your birth.
Standards of Practice
Services Rendered:
The doula accompanies the woman in labor, provides emotional and physical
support, suggests comfort measures, and provides support and suggestions for the partner.
Whenever possible, the doula provides pre- and post-partum emotional support, including
explanation and discussion of practices and procedures, and assistance in acquiring the
knowledge necessary to make informed decisions about her care. Additionally, as doulas do
not “prescribe” treatment, any suggestions or information provided within the role of the
doula must be done with the proviso that the doula advise her client to check with her
primary care provider before using any application.
Limits to Practice:
DONA Standards and Certification apply to emotional and physical support only. The
DONA certified doula does not perform clinical or medical tasks such as taking blood
pressure or temperature, fetal heart tone checks, vaginal examinations, or postpartum
clinical care.
Advocacy:
The doula advocates for the client's wishes as expressed in her birth plan, in prenatal
conversations, and intrapartum discussion, by encouraging her client to ask questions of her
caregiver and to express her preferences and concerns. The doula helps the mother incorporate
changes in plans if and when the need arises, and enhances the communication between client
and caregiver. Clients and doulas must recognize that the advocacy role does not include the
doula speaking instead of the client or making decisions for the client. The advocacy role is
best described as support, information, and mediation or negotiation.
("Standards of Practice", DONA, www.dona.org)
servant. The doula in a Greek home had a very
important role, as do doulas today.The word has come
to refer to "a woman experienced in childbirth who
provides continuous physical, emotional, and
informational support to the mother before, during
and just after childbirth."
(Kennell & Klaus, The Doula Book)
A doula is essentially a mother for the mother. She is
trained to provide emotional and physical support prior
to , during, and after birth. She is knowledgeable
about the process of birth and the postpartum time. She
is an advocate for the mother and her wishes as well as a
listening ear. She can help the birthing mother's partner participate in the birth at their
comfort level, giving suggestions and advice for their participation.
Not only can a doula do all of the above, but she actually can effect the total outcome of
your birth. The research has been done and the statistics will tell you that doulas actually
improve birth! What do those statistics say anyway...
- 50% reduction Cesarean birth
- 25% shorter labor
- 60% reduction in Epidural requests
- 40% reduction in Oxytocin use
- 30% reduction in analgesic use
- 40% reduction in forceps delivery
Every woman deserves to have the best birth possible, and as you can see, a doula is the first
step.
Below is the Standards of Practice from DONA. They clearly and accurately describe the
roles that doulas have, and do not have in a birth. Reading them may help to clarify what
role a doula would have in your birth.
Standards of Practice
Services Rendered:
The doula accompanies the woman in labor, provides emotional and physical
support, suggests comfort measures, and provides support and suggestions for the partner.
Whenever possible, the doula provides pre- and post-partum emotional support, including
explanation and discussion of practices and procedures, and assistance in acquiring the
knowledge necessary to make informed decisions about her care. Additionally, as doulas do
not “prescribe” treatment, any suggestions or information provided within the role of the
doula must be done with the proviso that the doula advise her client to check with her
primary care provider before using any application.
Limits to Practice:
DONA Standards and Certification apply to emotional and physical support only. The
DONA certified doula does not perform clinical or medical tasks such as taking blood
pressure or temperature, fetal heart tone checks, vaginal examinations, or postpartum
clinical care.
Advocacy:
The doula advocates for the client's wishes as expressed in her birth plan, in prenatal
conversations, and intrapartum discussion, by encouraging her client to ask questions of her
caregiver and to express her preferences and concerns. The doula helps the mother incorporate
changes in plans if and when the need arises, and enhances the communication between client
and caregiver. Clients and doulas must recognize that the advocacy role does not include the
doula speaking instead of the client or making decisions for the client. The advocacy role is
best described as support, information, and mediation or negotiation.
("Standards of Practice", DONA, www.dona.org)
| Elizabeth Boyce, CD(DONA) ~ 972-757-0995 ~ elizabeth@earthboundbirth.com |
| What is a Doula? |