What is a Doula?

More and more families today are choosing to use attendants at their births that are not part of the hospital or birth center staff, or someone other than a family member as a labor assistant. Mothers today are often choosing to employ a doula to help and aide during birth. This often is questioned as many times the mother has attendants and staff assisting during the birth. So what exactly then is a doula?

What is a doula and what do they do?

By definition, a doula is a non-medical experienced assistant who acts as an advocate for the family, and assists the family during birth. The Greek world also means one who serves another. The doula almost always meets with the mother or the family 3-5 times before the birth to discuss the families birth plans, needs and wants. Each doula molds her role in the birth around the needs of the family. She is present during and after labor and often during the postpartum period for a few weeks to assist in breastfeeding, bonding, and household activities.

Doula's do not perform any medical activities and are not there for medical care. Your midwife or doctor will perform all checks, ultrasounds, and will dispense actual medical advice, while the doula's role is to increase your comfort before, during and after the labor and assist the family in any way she can. Before birth, often she provides multiple means of relaxation to the mother including massage, aromatherapy, reflexology and stress relieving activties. Often she can relieve other family members of duties, can take pictures, provide coaching to the laboring mother.

Why would I need a doula?