Frequently Asked Questions
- Why do I need a doula?
- Will a doula interefere with my partner's role at the birth?
- Will my doula force her ideal birth on me?
- What comfort measures can a doula provide?
- What if I'm planning a cesarean/epidural?
- How does a doula interact with hospital staff?
Why do I need a doula?
Research studies have shown that the type of support provided by a doula can result in many emotional and physical benefits for the laboring mother and new baby, including fewer medical interventions and improved mother-infant bonding.
Having a doula means you'll benefit from continuous emotional and physical support from someone trained and experienced in assisting birthing women. In today's busy hospital environment it is unlikely that a nurse will be able to provide this type of continuous support. A doula will get to know you and your wishes before the birth and can help you advocate for your choices during the birth. Every baby's birth is the birth of a new family as well and a doula can support all members of the family, including fathers, siblings, and grandparents, as they welcome their newest addition. Lastly, every woman deserves a doula - an extra heart and helping hand as she births her baby.
Will a doula interfere with my partner's role at the birth?
A doula never replaces a woman's partner if he chooses to be present at the birth.
While a doula can be very helpful for single women or women who must be separated from their partners at the time of birth, doulas are also valuable additions to the birth team even when a birthing woman has a loving and enthusiastic partner. A doula can suggest ways for your partner to offer you comfort and support during labor and offer him/her much-needed breaks for food or rest. With a doula you will never be left alone! Birth partners may find the physically and emotionally intense nature of the birth experience overwhelming and will appreciate the support and experience of a doula as well.
Will my doula force her ideal birth on me?
A doula's job is to support your ideal birth.
While most doulas are enthusiastic about natural childbirth, studies show that a woman's satisfaction with her birth experience has less to do with the circumstances of her labor and delivery (location, interventions, etc.) than with whether or not she felt included in the decisions being made during her birth. Doulas are advocates for your decisions and goals. Her only goal is to help you have a satisfying birth experience, whatever that means to you.
What comfort measures can a doula provide?
A doula is trained to offer many non-medical comfort measures.
Physical support techniques include hot and cold compresses, changes in position, massage, use of a birth ball, and counter-pressure for back pain as well as others. Doulas provide emotional support through close physical presence, words of encouragement and understanding and an absolute belief that you can do it! For women using childbirth hypnosis for pain elimination, a doula trained in those methods can provide verbal and physical cues that will deepen her relaxation and hypnotic anesthesia.
What if I'm planning a cesarean birth/epidural?
A doula can still be very active at a birth that includes a planned epidural or cesarean procedure.
At a cesarean birth a doula can offer a description of the birth as it occurs or record the birth with a video or film camera while the birth partner sits near your head to provide emotional support, or vice versa. After the baby is born either the birth partner or doula can accompany the baby to the nursery while the other person stays with you in the operating room while the surgery is completed. A doula can also write a birth story of the cesarean birth, helping to reinforce your memory of a beatiful birth experience.
Many women intend to receive epidural anaesthesia at some point in their labor. Research shows that the chances of having a forceps/vacuum-assisted delivery or cesarean birth decrease if the epidural is not administered until a consistent active labor pattern has been established. Many doctors allow a laboring woman to receive her epidural when she reaches 4-5 cm dilation. It may take hours of labor before a woman reaches this point. During this time a doula can offer the many comfort measures in which she is trained. Once the epidural has been administered a doula can ensure you are in an appropriate position to protect your back and hips and help you feel more connected to your birth experience by talking with you about your baby's arrival.
How does a doula interact with hospital staff?
A doula is trained to work with your medical care providers to give you a safe and satisfying birth experience.
Her role is to help you more effectively communicate with your care-givers but she does not make decisions for you or speak on your behalf.