What is a Birth Doula? A Birth Doula is a professional trained in Childbirth. Someone who offers constant support emotionally, physically, and informationally to the women during her labour. The goal of the Doula is for the mother to have the safest, most memorable, and positively empowering birth experience possible! Your birth experience is one that will stick with you forever. A positive one is always the best, a Doula can help make this possible for you. A Doula During Delievery~ Your Doula will remain in constant, close proximity to the Mother during the entire labour process. The Doula provides comfort with different pain relief techniques like massage, relaxing, breathing and labouring positions. Your Doula becomes your advocate during childbirth, encouraging her in her desires during childbirth. Father's Role With a Doula~ By no means does a Doula take away from the Father's role during anytime in the labour. The Doula very much compliments and supports the Father during the Labour. You could think of the Father as your left hand and your Doula as your right. Many Father's are nervous during the labour or feel as though they would rather enjoy the Birth experience than have the added pressure of being the only labour support. When you have a Doula it allows the Father to focus and do as he feels comfortable at any moment during the labour. Your Doula will also help provide the Father with the support and encouragement he needs during the labour. Helping him learn the calming massaging techniques he can use on Mother. Your Doula will help your whole Birth experience remain a calm and positive one. | What does a Birth Doula Do? A doula takes the time to get to know Mom in the weeks to months before the baby is born, establishing a comfortable relationship with the Mother. This allows the Mother the freedom to ask any questions that may be on her mind, express her fears, and support her in making her Birth plan. Doulas are available by phone or email to answer any questions that may arise for Mom during the pregnancy. While Doula's do not provide any medical care they are knowledgeable in the medical aspect of labour and delivery. Your Doula will help the Mother get a better understanding of what is going on and help take away the fear of unknowing if any procedures or complications arise during the later part of Pregnancy or during the Labour. Benefits of having a Doula~ Many studies have been done on the benefits of having a Doula during delievery. The studies show that having a Doula reduces your chances of having a c-section by 50%, the length of labour by 25%, the use of oxytocin by 40% and the request for an epidural by 60%. When there is a Doula present Mothers report having a more positive Birth experience. Doulas can help reduce pain during labour by the power of touch. By Massaging the Mother not only does it reduce her stress and calm her anxiety but it also stimulates the production of natural Oxytocin, which is secreted by the pituitary gland. The benefits of natural Oxytocin compared to that of synthetic is that when the natural oxytocin is released into the bloodstream it causes uterine contractions and also secrets it to the brain. The result is a overall feeling of well being, and an increase in the Mother's pain threshold. |
