WHAT IS A DOULA?

Every family and every birth can benefit from the presence of a doula.

A birth doula is a trained professional who provides continuous unconditional physical, emotional and informational support to a birthing person before, during and shortly after childbirth to help them achieve the healthiest, most satisfying labor and birth experience possible. A doula is also able to provide support to the patner and help in the process of self advocay for the birthing person.

Research shows that families who use birth support doulas are:

⁣

less likely to need an induction
less likely to need Pitocin
less likely to have a cesarean birth
less likely to use pain medication
more likely to view their childbirth experience positively!!

read more about DONA internationals Role of a doula below!

⁣

Role of a Doula

From DONA international

Physical Support

Position ideas for comfort and labor progression cross over with hands-on comfort measures like comforting touch, counter pressure, breathing techniques and other “doula magic” for families. A doula’s skilled hands and positioning tools can often help a malpositioned baby find its way through the pelvis and into the birthing parent’s arms.

Emotional Support

Doulas help families to feel supported, easing the emotional experience of birth and also helping to create a space where the hormones of labor can work at their best. Whether a birth is completely unmedicated or medically very complex, every family can benefit from nurturing and connection at this tender, incredible time in their lives.

Partner Support

Whether it’s a romantic partner, a friend or another family member like the baby’s grandma, the birth partner’s experience matters in birth. Our doulas are there to support every birth partner in being as involved as they’d like with the birth. Physical and emotional support make a huge difference for everyone involved.

Evidence-Based Information and Advocacy

DONA International doulas are trained to help families connect with evidence-based resources so they can ask great questions and make informed decisions about their births. Our doulas serve as a bridge of communication between women and their providers, lifting them up to help them find their voices and advocate for the very best care.