Birth and Postnatal Doula
What is a Doula?
The world ‘doula’ comes from Ancient Greek, meaning ‘a woman who serves’
Birth and Postpartum doulas are non-medical professionals designed to fill this gap with emotional and physical support during the life-changing transition to motherhood. Doulas help women step into their roles as mothers with confidence and satisfaction.
Doulas are non-medical professionals trained to provide continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a woman and her partner before, during and after childbirth. This can apply to a woman planning a physiological birth, home birth, hospital birth or a planned caesarean.
Many cultures ensure that a birthing woman is surrounded by women (Doulas) who are experienced in childbirth for protection, comfort and confidence.
Sometimes just having another woman there to connect with can be incredibly nurturing and increase the confidence of the birthing woman by having that female understanding and connection.
This in no way is meant to replace the role of the partner who is there to love, support and protect the mother as well.
Having a doula present aids both the mother and partner.
Obstetricians, midwives and nurses are responsible for monitoring labour, assessing the medical condition of the mother and baby and treating complications when they arise; but birth is also an emotional, energetic and spiritual experience with a long-term impact on a woman’s personal wellbeing.
Doulas do not provide any type of medical care; however, they do provide evidence-based information and research to help their clients gain a better understanding of medical procedures and encourage the couple to ask all the right questions to ensure they are making the right choices for their birth.
What Does The Research Say? Studies Have Shown…
Studies have shown that in the presence of a Doula, partners felt more satisfied with their role and mothers felt their birth was a more positive and empowering experience.
Research also shows that Doulas help to lower caesarean rates and interventions because they are completely focused on the mums’ needs and not the medical environment.
The way a woman feels about her birth and the way she is treated during her labour and birth can and will have an enormous effect on her postpartum experiences, so Doulas ensure that the mother is feeling safe, calm, supported and respected.
While supporting a woman during labour a Doula’s primary role is to encourage her to release and let go, breathe, move and focus.
We will provide you with this research and show you how to present this to prospective clients, particularly the partners so they will see the key benefits of having you as their Doula and sharing in their birthing journey.
How can a Postpartum doula support you?
Postpartum doulas will support new parents to bond with their baby encouraging them to spend time together. The postpartum doula will facilitate the parents in gaining a deeper understanding of their babies personality and temperament and develop confidence in their unique parenting style.
Postpartum doulas typically provide companionship and emotional support by actively listening, providing a shoulder to cry on or having a cup of tea and a laugh together with the mother.
Beyond emotional support, which is provided at every visit, sessions will vary according to the mothers needs on that day and may include some of the following.
In order to empower new parents in their choices a postpartum doula may provide evidence based information regarding basic baby care and normal breastfeeding. A postpartum doula will always make referrals where appropriate.
Having a baby is a big transition for everyone and a postpartum doula will also provide support for partners, siblings and extended family during the adjustment period. Postpartum doulas understand the dynamics of all relationships will be affected and support positive communication.
Postpartum doulas will endeavour to build a community for the new mother by connecting her with classes, groups and other professionals. Families may need support managing visitors, extended family, friends and neighbours including boundaries.
A postpartum doula will encourage the mother with self-care and in asking for help.
Physical and practical support may include light cleaning and cooking nutritious meals for the whole family.
text by Newborn Mothers