the Doula’s Role

Doula (doo-la) – a Greek word meaning “woman’s servant” or “handmaiden”. Today, a Doula is an experienced and supportive companion (not a friend or loved one), who is trained in child-birth. A doula provides physical and emotional support to women and their partners before, during and after birth.

Women have complex, unique needs during childbirth. In addition to the safety of modern obstetrical care and the love and support provided by their partners, women need consistent, continuous reassurance, comfort and respect.

In today’s society, if women want their birth to be positive, they must take responsibility for the skills that they bring into labour and birthing environments.

My experience as a doula, midwife and mother enables me to:

Be an integral part of your maternity care team.
Work closely with your midwives and doctors to provide the best care for you.
Focus entirely on you and your needs, without performing clinical tasks.
Maintain the relaxed and supportive birthing environment you have chosen.
Provide support according to your needs, like massage, aromatherapy, positioning or your favourite piece of music.
Provide constant reassurance, physical and emotional support for you and your partner.
Complement your partner’s role, not replace it, to form the perfect support team for you.
Provide unbiased information allowing you to make informed choices.

A doula’s role is not to encourage any particular trend or belief for your birth experience. Women giving birth with doula support have a higher self-esteem; less depression and anxiety; greater breastfeeding success; more confidence caring for their baby; shorter hospital stays after birth and significantly more affectionate and interactive relationships with their babies.

Positive effects of doula care include:

50% reduction on caesarean rates.
25% shorter labour.
60% reduction in epidural requests.
40% reduction in Syntocinon use.
30% reduction in analgesia use.
40% reduction in forceps delivery. (Klaus, Kennell and Klaus, 1993)

Birth is a natural process – an experience that can have a powerful, beautiful and positive effect on the entire family. This journey of a lifetime for you and your baby is worthy of the best possible beginning.