Throughout history women have been giving birth with the assistance of other women to support, guide, encourage and calm them. No one understands the needs of a woman in birth better than another woman. Birthing a baby is easily one of the most impactful and cherished life experiences a woman will ever face and having a Doula there to serve you during that experience, just as women have throughout history, is something no woman regrets.
What is a doula?
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. 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 decisions * 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 Why use a doula? Women have complex needs during childbirth and the weeks that follow. In addition to medical care and the love and companionship provided by their partners, women need consistent, continuous reassurance, comfort, encouragement and respect. They need individualized care based on their circumstances and preferences. Numerous clinical studies have found that a doula’s presence at birth: * tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications * reduces negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience * reduces the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction and cesareans * reduces the mother’s request for pain medication and/or epidurals Research shows parents who receive support can: * Feel more secure and cared for * Are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics * Have greater success with breastfeeding * Have greater self-confidence * Have less postpartum depression * Have lower incidence of abuse |
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DOULA by Gráinne Evans
Please listen up ladies and tell me if you’ve heard, Of this amazingly important and vital little word. And help me spread its message, for it’s not well known you see, And it could make all the difference if you’re a Mum-To-Be. ~ DOULA‘s are the secret of which I wish everyone knew, So let me answer the big question; “Just What Does a Doula Do?” A Doula is a lady who has trained and made a choice, To empower birthing women and to give their needs a voice. ~ If babies had a say in things, if they could choose their birth, They’d want the arms of one they love to welcome them to Earth. Doulas work beside you to keep the odds stacked in your favour, She’ll help to keep you calm and focused through your experience of labour. ~ Dads and partners needn’t worry, she’s not there to take your role. Instead she’ll encourage and support your family as a whole. If naturally the thought of birth leaves you overwhelmed and under pressure, Find a Doula who can help you make it a memory to treasure. ~ They’re trained to know the options and ensure you know your rights, They can help you make a Birth Plan to keep your birthing goals in sight. She’ll be with you when you need her or respect your wish to be alone, She’ll be your advocate and ally, whether in hospital or at home. ~ So whatever else is on your mind if you’re going to have a baby, There’s one thing on your To-Do-List that shouldn’t be a maybe, Make a Doula a priority and not a last resort, Don’t deny yourself the gift of their guidance and support |