What is a Doula?

Doula is a Greek word for “woman’s servant.”
In nearly every culture of the world, women have traditionally surrounded themselves with other women to care for them during childbirth. Artistic depictions of childbirth usually display two or more women supporting the birthing mother. Usually, one of these women is a midwife, who is the person responsible for creating a safe passage for baby. The other women, usually on either side of the mother to comfort and soothe her, are doulas.

The Doula does not replace the role of the father/partner. Fathers are often able to participate more fully with a doula present. The top two fears that a father has surrounding pregnancy and birth are the worry about the safety of his unborn child and his partner. Much of that fear is gone when a doula is present because she can provide informational support about the labour as it progresses, and her calming influence allows the father to give the love and support that his partner needs to feel.

The presence of a doula complements a father's role and strengthens it. A doula often can give suggestions and encourage the father to touch, to talk, and to help in ways that feel truly comfortable to him and comforting to the mother.
Fathers, with the support of the doula, are able to participate at any level that feels right and natural for them. In this way, fathers can experience fully the joy and wonder of watching their babies come into the world.

Birth Doulas (aka Labour Support Doulas)
A birth doula is a supportive companion professionally trained to provide physical and emotional support during labour and birth.
A doula provides continuous support, beginning during early or active labor, through birth, and for approximately 2 hours following the birth. The doula offers help and advice on comfort measures such as breathing, relaxation, movement, positioning, and massage. She also assists families with gathering information about the course of labour and their options. Her most critical role is providing continuous emotional reassurance and comfort.

Doulas attend home births and hospital births; medicated births and unmedicated births, with women whose care is being overseen by doctors or midwives. Doulas may be the only support person for the mother, or may be part of a labour support team including mom’s partner, friend(s), and/or family members.
Doulas specialize in non-medical skills, and do not perform clinical tasks, or diagnose medical conditions.

Doulas do not make decisions for their clients. Their goal is to provide the support and information needed to help the birthing mother have a safe and satisfying birth as the mother defines it.

Postpartum Doulas
There are also postpartum doulas, who provide support after the baby is born. They have knowledge about postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, and newborn care. Their services vary depending on your needs, and might involve anything from a one-time visit for information and advice, to providing overnight care every night for a month.

Proven Benefits of Doula Care
-Decreased medical intervention in labour
-Reduces need for cesarean by 26%
-Reduces the need for forceps or vacuum extractor by 41%
-Reduces use of pain medication by 28%
-Reduces dissatisfaction with birth by 33%
-Reduces length of labour

Six weeks after birth, mothers who had doulas were:
-Less anxious and depressed
-Had more confidence with baby
-More satisfied with partner
-More likely to be breastfeeding

Please look at the DOSA website (Doula's of South Africa) to find a Doula, or even if you want to learn how to become a Doula! http://doula.org.za/