I get asked what a doula is pretty much anytime I wear my Doula shirt out or tell folks my occupation. I love my job and love sharing what a doula is and what we do so I thought I would write a little about my passion.
What does a doula do?
The concept of a doula has been around for many many years. The word "Doula" is greek and it means "in service", but I feel the word has evolved to much more than that. Think of a doula as a "supporter during pregnancy and birth". A doula gets to know you during your pregnancy and listens while you describe what you want/need. Doulas do not advise but provide informational support to enable you to make informed decisions about your maternity care.
They join you during labour and birth and don't leave until you are settled and ready for them to leave.
Why book a birth doula?
I'm utterly biased towards doula birth supporters so I am going to stick to the evidence.
Reduced risk of Caesarean birth †*.
Reduced risk of instrumental birth †*.
Reduced need for painkillers or epidural during birth †*.
Reduced rate of induction of labour †*.
Shorter labour †.
Increased parental satisfaction with the birth experience. â€
Increased likelihood of initiating breastfeeding *.
Increased likelihood of successfully establishing breastfeeding & breastfeeding at 6 weeks *.
Lower incidence of depressive symptomatology †.
Improve equity and provide culturally responsive care#
* Brigstocke S. MIDIRS Midwifery Digest, vol 24, no 2, 2014, pp 157-160
#Meghan A Bohren and Sarah Chapman Cochrane review
†Hodnett ED, Gates S, Hofmeyr G, Sakala C. Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 7. Art. No.: CD003766. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003766.pub5 and Bohren MA, Hofmeyr GJ, Sakala C, Fukuzawa RK, Cuthbert A. Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews2017, Issue 7. Art. No.: CD003766. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003766.pub6.