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| The word “doula,” comes from the Greek word for the most important female slave or servant in an ancient Greek household, the woman who probably helped the lady of the house through her childbearing. The word has come to refer to “a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during, and just after childbirth.” (Klaus, Kennell and Klaus, Mothering the Mother)
What does a Doula do?
A Doula recognizes birth as a life experience the mother will always remember. She understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor. She perceives her role as one who nurtures and protects the woman’s memory of her birth experience.
A Doula assists the woman and her birth partner in preparing and carrying out their plan for birth. She does not take the place of the birth partner, but instead offers support and guidance so the partner can care for and encourage the mother at their comfort level.
A Doula offers continuous emotional support, staying by the side of the laboring woman throughout the entire labor.
A Doula provides physical comfort measures, an objective viewpoint and assistance to the woman in getting the information she needs to make good decisions. She facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner, and clinical care providers.
The acceptance of doulas in maternity care is growing rapidly with the recognition of their important contribution to the improved physical outcomes and emotional well-being of mothers and infants. |
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“The personal characteristics of each doula will, of course, vary. However, the following qualities are most beneficial with any doula.
| 1. |
A warm, loving, enthusiastic, compassionate and caring nature, coupled with maturity and responsibility. |
| 2. |
Tolerance for people of different ethnic groups, social statuses, levels of income and lifestyles. |
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Good health and the endurance both to stand for long periods and to work for long stretches in a crowded labor room in varied labor situations. |
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The ability to deal with and remain supportive of women who may become unusually distressed during the final stages of labor. |
| 5. |
Experience of childbirth, personally and also through attendance at many births. |
| 6. |
Comfort with touch. |
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The ability to communicate, especially to listen. |
| 8. |
The ability to submerge her own personal belief system about maternity practices |
| 9. |
The ability to be flexible and to work in a variety of birth settings with changes in staff and care providers.” |
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