What is a Doula? 

The miracle of birth is like a journey. As you begin you are filled with excitement and uncertainty. What will I find along
the way? Am I up to the challenge? What will I do if something goes wrong? How will I know if I am going the right way?
I wonder if all travelers feel this way or am I odd?  Many people prefer traveling with companions and birth is no exception.
As you start on your way, your husband is your first traveling companion. He is your support, protector, encourager, and lover.  He will be your constant companion through the wonderful, exciting and at times challenging journey of birth. As you continue your journey your doctor or midwife is like your mechanic. They are there to keep everything healthy and running smoothly.
They also provide “repairs” when something goes wrong.

A doula is your travel guide. She is there to guide you through the maze of options available to you in this process. She has walked this road before and can answer the myriad of questions you may have. She comes to labor and delivery with a host of practical tips for easing pain, keeping labor progressing well, avoiding unnecessary complications, ensuring Mom is doing well emotionally, and encouraging fathers to be actively involved. Her job is to assist you to get to your destination safely and happily. She seeks to carry out your wishes and help you have the birth experience you desire.  She gives suggestions, information, and options, and then she steps back and waits for your decision.  Whatever your decision is, she does her best
to help make it happen. She is involved as little or as much as you want her to be. She is there for you. Your guide. Your friend. Your doula: 

                                                                Discusses your options, concerns, and desires
                                                                Offers practical suggestions
                                                                Understands the process of labor, delivery, and birth
                                                                Loves the miracle of birth
                                                                Actively helps you carry your birth plan out  

As you walk through the miracle of birth, a doula walks with you. She supports you, encourages you, and helps your birth
be all it can be.


Benefits of a Doula

A doula provides many medical, emotional, and physical benefits. Recent controlled trials involving over 1000 women demonstrate that the presence of labor support results in: 
   
·  50% decrease in cesarean rates 
·  25% decrease in length of labor 
·  30% decrease in use of forceps 
·  40% decrease in use of oxytocin 
·  60% decrease in use of epidurals 
·  30% decrease in use of pain medications (narcotics) 
·  Improved breastfeeding 
·  Decreased postpartum depression 
·  Greater maternal satisfaction 
·  Better mother-infant bonding 

In addition to lowering many undesirable statistics and improving mother-infant happiness and well-being,
many doulas also provide: 
  
·  Massages and other pain control techniques 
·  Continuous emotional support during labor and delivery 
·  A wealth of knowledge on labor, delivery, birth, postpartum care, and hospital procedures 
·  An advocate to see your birth plan carried out 
·  Caring postpartum support (Breastfeeding help, baby care, mommy care) 
·  A friend to guide you through the journey of birth 

Taken in part from Mothering the Mother, by M.H. Klaus, J.H. Kennel, and P.H. Klaus; Addison Wesley Publishing Company, 1993. 


Tips from Peaceful Heart….. 

As you seek to have a satisfying and rewarding birth experience may these tips help you on your journey: 

·  Write out a birth plan explaining your desires for your upcoming labor and delivery. It does not have to be fancy or elaborate.  Simply express your wishes for your labor and delivery.   

·  Discuss your birth plan with your doctor or midwife before you are in labor. Find out their thoughts on rooming in, breastfeeding, cesareans, pain medications, staying active during labor, eating during labor, the number of people present
at the birth, or any other questions you may have. Good communication can prevent misunderstandings or hard feelings
should labor take an unexpected turn. 

·  Visit your birth place before labor and delivery. Talk with the hospital or birth center staff/nurses and share your upcoming
birth with them. Find out what options are available to you such as a shower, Jacuzzi tub, birth ball, snack room, DVD/VCR,
CD player, etc.  Familiarize yourself with the layout of the rooms. 

·  If you would like photographs or video of the birth, decide who will run the camera. If you have an extra person available, consider asking them to run it so Dad can be free to support Mom and enjoy the birth. You might also want to discuss
what you do and do not want captured on film. 

·  Talk with your husband and doula about what relaxes you. Perhaps you like listening to music, watching a movie,
or just being touched.  Staying calm and relaxed helps control pain and keep labor progressing well. 

·  When you have given your last push, and the doctor hands you a precious bundle of life, hold on to the wonderment of that moment. Let all the busyness of life wait for a while as you enjoy one of the greatest miracles of all time - a brand new life.
Soon this time will be gone forever, so treasure every second of it.