An Overview a Doula's Philosophy
Doulas are not medically-trained midwives, nor do they have
the expertise to deliver a baby at home or in the hospital.
This is the job of the medical professionals. A Doulas role
is to support a woman and guide her through her labour and
birth journey so that it is a positive memorable occasion
that can later be shared with that child.
Should any decisions need to be made during your labour regarding
your body, the birth process or the baby, a Doula will assist
you to understand what is happening and present to you all
the relevant information in an unbiased manner. The final
choice and decision will be yours to make.
Doulas take no responsibility for the birth outcome, as they
are there to massage you, quietly talk to you, assist your
partner to be involved and most importantly to help you stay
empowered and as focused as possible throughout your birth.
Doulas do not carry oxygen or resuscitation equipment. In
the case of an emergency a Doula will give first aid and call
an ambulance. During the labour a Doula is not trained to
monitor the blood pressure or check the heart rate of the
mother or baby, this is the job of the midwife or doctor.
Each Doula works totally in an autonomous
way. Our fees may vary as well as the amount of antenatal appointments we give or postpartum visits we offer,
however our philosophy and beliefs about the work that we
do are the same and we all follow the above philosophy to
our utmost ability.
What is a Doula?
The word “Doula” comes from ancient time of
Greece, which refers to a woman who is trained and experience
in assisting a woman in labour. Also known as a slave or servant
to a woman in labour. The role of a Doula is to support a
woman in labour where ever she chooses to birth which could
be in a hospital, at home with a private midwife or in a birthing
centre.
A Doula provides continuous physical, emotional, and educational
support that begins prior to the birth when a woman is pregnant,
leading on through to the birth-day and for a duration after
the birth. The postpartum care duration does vary from Doula
to Doula but it is usually for a period of two weeks or 4
– 6 visits.
This continuous care of a pregnant and birthing woman is
often referred to as “The Missing Link in Maternity
Care” as a Doula can offer ongoing and continuous support
to both the expectant woman and her partner before during
and after the birth. The greatest benefit of this being that
a strong support network and bonding with a Doula can be established
prior to the birth-day, so she and her partner proceed into
the labour feeling well educated, supported and confident
about the birth.
Another benefit of Doula pre-birth contact and support is
that woman will often attain a powerful belief that her body
is strong, that it can do the job it is designed to do,
and mentally she is totally ready for the birth experience.
Women are incredible strong and powerful during pregnancy
and particularly during labour and birth — they have just have
forgotten that they are. This is why a woman should be allowed
and honoured to have the right space, freedom, right of choice
and be empowered to really trust herself and her body.
Childbirth is a physical, emotional and spiritual journey
which should be remembered as a loving and beautiful experience
which leads couples into Motherhood and Fatherhood. In order
for this to occur the environment and surroundings need to
nurture and support this transition. It is, after all, a mother/baby’s
right of passage to be brought into the world in the best
possible way starting with the birth experience which is free
of fear, and instead with positive excitement and unconditional
love being promoted.
With increased responsibilities being placed on hospital
midwives, Doulas are needed now more than ever before. As
statistics confirm, that the presence of a Doula at a birth
can significantly decrease the need for pain relief, shorten
a labour duration as well increase the confidence in partners
to get them more involved and be more supportive and comfortable
during the labour.
What are the benefits
of having a Doula at your birth?
Research of 11 controlled studies of over 1000 women by Marshall
Klaus, MD and John Kennell, MD, indicated that the presence
of a Doula at birth makes big difference resulting in the
following statistics:
- 50% decrease in the need for a caesarean delivery
- A 25% decrease in length of labour for first time mothers
- A 60% decrease in requests for an epidural
- A 40% decrease in the use of artificial oxytocin use
- A 30% decrease in the use of forceps
- A decrease in the use of pain relief medications (narcotics)
For more information regarding this study please refer to
Mothering the Mother, How a Doula Can Help You Have a Shorter,
Easier and Healthier Birth Klaus, Kennel, 1993.
Additional advantages
for having a Doula
A Doula can provide:
• Professional continuity of care and assistance at
any time, day or night in your home.
• Access to resources and information so couples can
make informed choices and decisions with regard to the pregnancy,
where they want to birth their baby, the labour and birth.
• Referrals to antenatal Fitness Classes, Educational
Birth Preparation Classes, Lactation Classes, Pregnancy Yoga
Classes, Pregnancy Massage Services.
• Assistance in preparing for the birth. Creating a
‘birth plan’ or ‘positive outline plan of
action’. Explanation of medical procedures and definition
of medical terms and words.
• Reassurance and support for the father-to-be and
assist him to become more involved, educated and supportive.
• Postpartum support and care with breastfeeding, or
referral to a lactation consultant. General support and care
and reassurance around what to do at home with bathing sleep
patterns, baby crying, nappy changing etc.
Doula and Partners
The idea of having a Doula present at a birth does not mean
that a woman’s partner is no longer needed or made superfluous
at the birth. On the contrary, the idea of having a Doula
is to help assist a woman’s partner to feel at ease
with the labour and birth journey and to assist in any way
that is possible. A birth then becomes a ‘team’
effort, so to speak, and partners can feel they are
contributing without the pressure being totally focused upon
them to provide physical, mental and emotional support which
can be very overwhelming at times during a labour/birth.
Partners want to experience the birth of their child in a
positive way, where they feel they contributed in a confident
positive way. Partners often comment to a Doula after a birth
that "they are incredibly grateful for the intuition,
skill, sensitivity and support that she brought to every aspect
of the birth." And how it took the pressure off them to allow
for understanding, reflection and to be totally present at
the birth and enjoy the experience.
Partners generally want to experience the birth of their
child, with the exception of a few, in which case having a
Doula is a wonderful alternative to not having anyone around
to support at all. Women who do not have partners around at
the time of the birth benefit greatly from having the support
and care of a Doula to assist her at the time of birth so
her experience is a positive supportive one where she does
not feel alone.
Natural Pain relief
techniques that a Doula suggests during Labour
There are many natural pain relief methods that can assist
a woman in labour that Doulas recommend when they are supporting
a woman in labour. Below is a list of some of the techniques
that woman find help to cope with the pain:
• The use of the bath or birthing tub to labour
in
• The use of the shower
• The use of massage
• Keeping the body active and moving around
• Rescue remedy
• Scented oils to be massaged on your skin
• Music to calm your mind and help you focus
• Sitting on a birthing ball and rocking your body
• Hanging from a bar, rope or tree
• Yoga
• Breathing and deep relaxation techniques
• Visualization, creating an analogy that represents
your body
• Acupressure, counter pressure on lower back
• Guidance with breathing, vocal sound
• Verbal feedback, positive reassurance throughout
the labour
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What
is a Doula?