Mothering the Mother

What is a Doula?

The word Doula comes from Ancient Greek times. It means very important female slave or servant.
The role of the Doula was helping the lady of the house through the birth of her children.

These days it is used to describe experienced women (although normally not trained as midwives) who provide a woman with practical and emotional support as well as information and communication with health professionals before, during, and after childbirth.

With our families spread further apart geographically and work pressures, we tend not to have access to nearby unconditional support that women used to enjoy in close knit communities.

Real Benefits

The use of Doula support is fast increasing in maternity units and home births around the world, not least because research is showing some very positive benefits.

The following benefits have been shown by research completed by Kennel and Klaus

A Doula can

Decrease the chance of caesarean section by 50%

Reduce need for forceps delivery by 40%

Reduce requests for epidurals by 60%

Decrease need for analgesics by 30%

Reduce need for pain medication

Help Fathers participate with confidence

Increase success in breastfeeding

Shorten first time labour by 25%

Alleviate depression and anxiety

Increase parents confidence with baby

In summary the labour may be shorter and easier with less likelihood of physical complications for Mother and Baby, and a much happier time for all involved.

A Doula can work alongside your partner. Even if your Partner is present for the birth, or if your mother, sister, or close friend comes along also, there are advantages to having a Doula too. Many men become anxious at seeing their Partner in pain during labour and may find it hard to be assertive with the medical staff when they have questions to ask. The mother to be may then become anxious for their partners, and this distracts them from the birth at a crucial time.

A Doula can help with many things including:-

Understanding and supporting the physical and emotional demands on a woman during labour.

Supporting her in her birth plan

Staying with the woman throughout the labour ( a Doulas support may begin while the woman starts labour at home. Once in the hospital, the midwives and other staff may change shifts or look after more than one woman).

Offer independent objective view when decisions have to be made.

Help with pain relief and provide massage.

Help with breast feeding afterwards.

Provide practical support after the birth such as help with bonding, sleeping, coping with crying, and baby massage techniques.

Supporting the mothers physical and emotional recovery after the birth