What is a doula?
A doula is a person that offers holistic, non-medical support to a pregnant woman. A doula is an advocate, an educator, and a support system.
What kind of support does a doula offer?
A doula can help with the birth plan, helping the family decide if they want a home birth, hospital birth, birthing center, etc. They can educate the mother and family on their rights and options for labor and delivery. They also offer emotional support throughout the pregnancy as well as during the delivery. Postpartum doulas offer aftercare as well.
A doula’s role during the delivery
Since a doula is non-medical support, they will not actually deliver the baby. A doula offers emotional support, can act as a liaison for the mother and medical staff, and help comfort you during your labor and delivery. They can help with positions, help keeping you comfortable before, during, and after labor. A doula can help support you in your decision whether to use pain relief or whether to have a vaginal or
cesarean birth. Sometimes it’s a hard decision or you may feel pressured to choose one way or the other. The doula is there to reassure you that the choice is ultimately yours.