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What is a Doula?
A doula...Greek word for a woman helper...
Recognizes birth as a key life experience that the mother will remember all her life...
Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor...
Assists the woman and her partner in preparing for and carrying out their plans for the birth...
Stays by the side of the labouring woman throughout the entire process...
Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, an objective viewpoint and assistance to the woman in getting the information she needs to make good decisions...
Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and clinical care providers...
Perceives her role as one who nurtures and protects the woman's memory of her birth experience.
A doula...Greek word for a woman helper...
Recognizes birth as a key life experience that the mother will remember all her life...
Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor...
Assists the woman and her partner in preparing for and carrying out their plans for the birth...
Stays by the side of the labouring woman throughout the entire process...
Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, an objective viewpoint and assistance to the woman in getting the information she needs to make good decisions...
Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and clinical care providers...
Perceives her role as one who nurtures and protects the woman's memory of her birth experience.
Why Hire a Doula?
Research has shown a correlation between continuous labor support and improved obstetric and psychological outcomes resulting in:
- Better bond between mother and infant
- Decrease in the incidence of complications,
- Decrease in the likely hood of postpartum depression; as well as
- Greater satisfaction with the birth experience
- Improved communication between medical team
- Less need for pain relief
- Lower level of anxiety and stress
- Shorter labours
- More success with breastfeeding