The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek
term meaning "a woman
caregiver of another woman." A doula is a woman who has
an education
and experience assisting women through the childbirth
process. Doulas
provide emotional support and physical comfort measures
during labor and
delivery. They will also help with positioning and movement
which assists in
the descent of the baby and pain management for the mom.
Doulas pay special attention to the woman during labor and
will not leave
them during this time. Doulas are also aware of the memories
that a woman
will carry with her of the birth and promote a positive
birth experience.
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Partners are becoming more active in the process of labor
and delivery than
ever before. They are often attending childbirth classes and
are staying with
the laboring mom throughout labor and delivery.
However, even with the childbirth preparation classes and
self education,
partners cannot be expected to become "labor
experts" overnight. Once the
woman goes into labor, it can be just as scary and confusing
for the partner
as it is for the mom. It takes experience to feel
comfortable assisting a
woman through childbirth.
The experience and knowledge that a doula brings, frees the
partner from
being the sole support to the woman. The partner is then
able to nurture the
mom and participate at their own comfort level. The doula
will adapt her role
to whatever is needed. Partners who want to be the primary
"birth coaches"
are encouraged to do so. The doula will take a secondary
role. If, on the other
hand, the partner would rather take a more emotionally
supportive position,
the doula can be the main labor assistant. The doula will
support the laboring
woman as well as the partner, not replace the partner.
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Research done in Houston, TX of first-time moms showed
dramatic medical
benefits to having doula support during labor and delivery:
Birth Resource Network
