Doulas

Doulas

doula“If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it.”
Suzanne Arms ‘Birthing the Future’

The word doula comes from Ancient Greek (doulē), and refers to a woman of service.

A doula is an assistant who provides various forms of non-medical and non-midwifery support (physical and emotional) in the childbirth process. Based on a particular doula’s training and background, the doula may offer support during prenatal care, during childbirth and/or during the postpartum period.

A birth doula provides support during labor. Thus a labor doula may attend a home birth or might attend the labouring woman during labor at home and continue while in transport and then complete supporting the birth at a hospital or a birth center.

This is the support the Doulas of today are bringing back to mothers. Many of us are mothers ourselves and mostly we wish for all mothers to fully experience the joy of childbirth. Once a woman has felt her body work harmoniously with its birthing rhythms and hormones, and has gone through a truly natural childbirth, all the aspects of raising her child flow easily.

Mothers who have Doula support very seldom request medical intervention such as epidurals or analgesics. The need for Caesarean Sections and neonatal (baby) intensive care is greatly reduced. The success rate of breastfeeding increases dramatically and postnatal depression is often averted.

Advantages of having a Doula present during labour and birth

  • Reduction in the duration of labor
  • Less use of pain relief medications
  • Lower rates of operative vaginal delivery
  • A reduction in caesarian deliveries
  • Lower rates of fetal distress and fewer are admitted to neonatal intensive care units
  • Greater success in breastfeeding
  • Women reported greater self-esteem
  • Less incidences of post natal depression
  • Higher regard for their babies and their ability to care for them

In South Africa the doula industry is not regulated and certification is not compulsory. Thus, anyone can be a doula. The course requirements are not regulated, so courses range from weekend courses to online courses, to year-long courses. Registration is not available. It is illegal for doulas to practice elements of midwifery as this is seen to be practicing midwifery without a license. Hence, doulas may not provide clinical care such as listening to the baby’s heart rate, checking the blood pressure and so on. They also may not give clinical advice or provide opinion on the advice of professional care providers.

A labor doula provides:

  • Continuous physical, emotional, and informational support during pregnancy, labor and childbirth
  • Support from a person who understands and trusts the process of birth, and who helps facilitate the birth experience for the parents, baby and primary care providers
  • Emotional support
  • Exercise and physical suggestions to make pregnancy and childbirth more comfortable
  • Help with preparation of a birth plan
  • Facilitation of communication between members of laboring woman’s birth team – though most doula certification programs discourage doulas from talking directly with caregivers for the mother/partners
  • Massage and other non-pharmacological pain relief measures
  • Positioning suggestions during labor and birth
  • Support the partner so that s/he can provide support and encouragement to the laboring woman
  • Help to avoid unnecessary interventions
  • Help with breastfeeding preparation and beginning
  • Is present during entire labor and afterwards as long as is needed by parent(s).

Questions you might want to ask a doula:

  • What is the doula’s training?
  • What is the doula’s level of experience? How many births has she attended as a doula?
  • What is her philosophy regarding birth?
  • Can the doula provide references?
  • What does she provide as part of her doula service? Does she do both prenatal and postnatal visits?
  • What is the doula’s fee? Will she accept a payment plan for her services or is it cash up front?
  • What is her availability? Does she have a back up in emergency situations or if she is out-of-town?
  • Has the doula worked with your care providers? What is her relationship with midwives, hospital or birth center personnel?
  • How does she see her role during the birth?
  • What does the doula expect from you? (contract, questionnaires, birth plan, etc.)

Extracts from: Wikipedia

If you would like to be added to the list of Doula’s click here

Find a doula in your area, send a request to us

SA Links:

DOSA (Doulas of South Africa)

WOMBS (Women offering mothers birth support)

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