The Doulas Role in Labor and Delivery for Mothers and Doulas to Be

A Doula Guides and supports the mother and her partner through labor and birth. Doulas are trained in providing emotional support, physical comfort measures and non clinical information. There have been a number of studies on the positive effects of Doulas' at births they have been shown to help lower cesarean rates at some of the hospitals with high cesarean statistics. Woman who had Doula support during labor report a more positive experience and a greater sense of well being during the postpartum period.

Pioneer Doula and Author of "The Birth Partner" Penny Simpkin lists numerous advantages of having a Doula.

• Help the mother apply what she learned in childbirth classes. This is especially helpful during an unpredictable or stressful labor.
• Doula provides continuous care (that nurses and doctors can rarely provide) to the mother so dad or other caregivers can grab a snack, a nap or a break.
• The Doula is an expert "fetcher" bringing beverages, hot towels, cold packs,or ice so dad or partner can remain with the mother.
• The Doula gives insite into the progress of labor or help in understanding what the mother is feeling.
• Sometimes the father or birth partner feels pressure to "do the right thing" in a unfamiliar time. The Doula offers support in this area and can take the pressure off so the partner can participate more comfortably.
• The Doula gets to know the families she is assisting and discovers your priorities, fears and concerns while helping you come up with ways of dealing.

Training to become a Doula can be a fulfilling and worthwhile experience. There are various trainings and programs available in North America. Some organization offer national certifications and provide continuing education opportunities. It is important not to confuse a Doula with a Midwife. Midwives are clinically trained professionals and must be licensed to practice in their state as a Certified Nurse Midwife. Some states still allow the practice of traditional or non clinical midwives but you must check the laws in your state.

Some of the common topics covered in a Doula workshop or training seminar include

• Stages of Labor and Delivery
• Comfort measures during labor
• Massage and acupressure techniques
• Optimal positions to help progression of labor
• How to be a quality laison between the mother and the medical staff
• Assist parents in creating a birth plan
• Positive language and phrases during transition or challenging times throughout labor and delivery
• Postpartum Care

Two of the main Doula certification programs are DONA (Doulas of North Amercia) and Cappa. The scope of practice shared by both programs are similar and most trainings consist of a weekend workshop and 4-6 weeks of at home projects. It is also required that you attend 3 or more uncompensated births with another certified Doula and write a paper about your experience. The costs vary for these programs.

Doulas' are encouraged to seek complimentary trainings to further enhance the assistance they offer to families. Some examples include.

• Massage therapy
• Herbs and Homeopathy
• Accupressure
• Pre-natal yoga

Some other fun and worthwhile services a Doula may consider are Belly casting, Henna Tatoos and organizing a "Blessing Way" for the mother and her closest female friends.

After the birth most Doulas will provide after care for up to 3 weeks after delivery to help with the adjustment. This can be a huge help to families and some services included may be.

• Nursing support
• Listen to the retelling of your birth story and processing it.
• Light housework and cooking
• Allowing a few minutes to take a shower or short nap

Most Doulas make it clear that postpartum services do not include childcare or babysitting of siblings but that they are available to help with the needs of the mother.

A growing segment of the Doula service includes Postpartum Doulas. These Doulas to not attend the birth but make themselves available to the mother and family for much of the Postpartum period. These Doulas proove to be a most valuable resource! More information on Postpartum Doulas are available at the websites listed below.

Whether you are an expecting mother anxiously awaiting the birth of your child or you are a person who has been thinking about a career as a Doula the shared joy of woman helping woman is quite remarkable.