Who Are Doulas?
A doula is a trained professional who provides non-medical support to pregnant women before, during, and after labor. Doulas provide continuous emotional, physical, and informational support to the client and help them have a healthier and more positive childbirth experience. Studies have shown that doulas help improve psychological and physical outcomes for pregnant and birthing women. Overall, they have a positive impact on the entire family's well-being.
What Are the Different Types of Doulas?
There are different types of doulas based on the area or stage of pregnancy or postnatal care they specialize in. The type of doula one chooses depends on several factors, the stage of pregnancy, the type of care needed, the type of birth experience one needs, and the postnatal care needed.
- Birth Doula:
Birth doulas meet their clients before and during labor. Birth doulas help one prepare for birth, parenting, and breastfeeding. During delivery and childbirth, doulas aid in helping one stay comfortable. They assist with relaxation, breathing, positioning, and movement. After the delivery, doulas assist with breastfeeding. They also help with hospital policies.
- Postpartum Doula:
Postpartum doulas work with families in the initial days after delivery. They assist with infant feeding, physical recovery after childbirth, parent-infant bonding, and emotional support. They may also aid in household assistance and cooking.
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Community-Based Doula:
Community-based doulas are those who have undergone training to concentrate on the needs of specific communities that have had poor birth outcomes. They conduct home visits and provide a variety of services.
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Antepartum Doula:
Antepartum doulas assist in high-risk pregnancies that need special care and attention. They provide support to pregnant women who are having unmanageable symptoms or are on bed rest. They also assist in household work and cooking.
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Full-spectrum Doula:
Full-spectrum doulas provide support for a wide range of pregnancy experiences. They do the jobs of both birth doulas and postpartum doulas.
What Are the Things a Doula Does?
In most cases, the doula-client relationship starts a few months before childbirth. During this period, the doula develops a good relationship with the client, and the mother feels free to express her worries and concerns, ask doubts, and actively participate in the creation of the birth plan. They provide education on perineal massage and relaxation techniques that aid in reducing stress and trauma associated with pregnancy and childbirth.
During childbirth, the doulas will be close to the mother. Doulas may use pain-relieving techniques like massaging, breathing, relaxation, and laboring to provide physical support to the mother at the time of delivery. After delivery, doulas help the new mothers initiate breastfeeding and aid in infant-mother bonding.
What Are the Benefits of Having Doula Support?
The benefits of having a doula are:
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Facilitates effective communication between the healthcare team and the families.
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It helps in connecting families with additional support and resources.
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Assist with planning.
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Provides greater satisfaction with the overall birth experience.
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Increases the self-esteem and confidence of their clients (pregnant women).
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It provides comfort and reassurance and reduces anxiety.
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Aids in family bonding for partners.
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Provides physical and emotional support to the birth partner.
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Provides physical support during delivery by helping with movements and postures, teaching breathing and relaxation techniques that help manage pain, etc.
Studies show that doula-assisted birth is associated with the following:
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Lesser use of pain medications during delivery.
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Increased vaginal births when compared to C-sections (cesarean section).
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Reduced labor time.
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Increased breastfeeding.
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Reduction in postpartum depression.
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Positive childbirth experience.
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Better mother-infant bonding.
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Overall a positive birthing experience.
What Is the Difference Between a Midwife and a Doula?
Doula is a trained professional but has yet to undergo medical training, while midwives have undergone medical training and are qualified to take low-risk births. Midwives may also prescribe medications but cannot perform surgeries like C-sections. On the other hand, doulas cannot provide treatment or medical advice. A doula mainly concentrates on the mother, while a midwife focuses more on delivery and cares for both the mother and the baby. A doula and a midwife help in a smoother pregnancy and delivery time for the woman.
What Is the Training Required for Becoming a Doula?
Most of the doulas undergo a doula training course to receive certification.
The accreditation and certification programs vary, but in general, good training programs cover the following:
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Physiology and anatomy of childbirth and pregnancy.
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Pregnancy and birth-related complications.
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Comfort measures for labor.
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Infant feeding.
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What to do in case of complications.
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Health and nutrition.
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Mental health conditions.
How to Choose the Right Doula?
While choosing a doula, take into consideration the following things:
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The certification they received.
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From where they received training.
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Their experience and the number of birth they attended.
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Their service cost.
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Their availability.
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And last but not least, choose a doula that one is comfortable with.
What Is the Role of the Father While Having a Doula for Support?
Doulas can never replace the role of a labor partner or husband. However, some husbands may want to enjoy the delivery without standing as labor coaches. They may want to enjoy the experience without pressuring themselves to remember and do what they have learned in their childbirth class. In such cases, doulas play an essential role.
Are Doulas Only Effective in Unmedicated Birth?
Irrespective of the type of birth, doulas are effective in all kinds of births. Studies show that women who are doulas require fewer interventions. For those women who have planned for a medicated birth, a doula provides educational, emotional, and physical support during labor and medication administration. They help to deal with the potential side effects associated with medicated birth.
For those mothers who undergo C-sections, doulas provide constant support and encouragement.
Conclusion
A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous educational, physical, and emotional support to pregnant women before, during, and after labor. There are different types of doulas, like birth doulas, postpartum doulas, antepartum doulas, full-spectrum doulas, and community-based doulas, based on their training. Irrespective of the type of delivery, doulas help create a positive birthing experience and provide physical and mental support to the mother.
