Tranquil Moments Doula, LLC

Doula

What is a doula.....

 

The ancient Greek translation of the word "doula" is "a woman who serves."  A doula is a professional labor assistant who provides physical, emotional and informational support to an expectant mother and birth partner.  A doula works along with the mother's partner or other loved ones attending the birth.  The primary focus of the doula is to provide continuous support to the mother throughout the entire labor process.

 

 

 

 

Who can benefit from a doula?

 

Anyone and everyone!  A common misconception is that doulas are only for those wanting an unmedicated [often called "natural"] childbirth.  

 

*Numerous clinical studies have found that a doula's presence at birth:

 

• tends to result shorter labors with fewer complications

 

• reduces negative feelings about one's childbirth experience

 

• reduces the need for pitocin, forceps or vacuum extraction and cesareans

 

• reduces the mother's request for pain mediciation and/or epidural

  research shows parents who receive support can:

 

• reduces stress on partner

 

• feel more secure and cared for

 

• are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics

 

• have greater self-confidence

 

• have less postpartum depression

 

• have greater success with breastfeeding

 

What a doula does...

 

• helps a woman prepare for and carry out her wishes for birth

 

• stays with the woman throughout labor

 

• provides emtoional support and phsyical comfort measures during labor

 

• facilitates communication between the laboring woman, partner and clinical staff

 

• provides accurate information or resources so mother can make informed decisions

 

• encourages the woman's partner to participate at his/her comfort level

 

What a doula does not....

 

• perform any medical/clinical tasks

 

• make decisions for the client

 

• speak on the behalf of the mother and/or partner

 

• replace father or birth partner

 

• judge any decision