The word "DOULA" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves".
In today's definition; a doula is an assistant who provides support for a woman in labour by encouraging her to use techniques learned in childbirth preparation.
What is a Doula?
A Doula is:
♥ A Trained professional who understands the natural process of birth, and works with the labour family during labour and birth to create the most positive, healthy and natural experience possible for them
♥ One who provides physical, emotional and informational support
♥ One who provides non-medical continuity of care for birthing women and their partners, and eases the transition from home to hospital or birth center
♥ One who offers words of encouragement, non-judgmental support and educates the couple, before, during and after birth
♥ Often referred to as a labour companion or a birth assistant
♥ Someone who stays with the labour woman throughout her labour and birth
♥ One who strives to ensure the parents to be meet their goals of their birth plan
♥ Someone who is there to ensure the birthing mother is prepared for her birthing experience
♥ Someone to advocate and lend a listening ear for birthing mothers, as well as a facilitator to her partner
What can a Doula do for you?
A Doula will:
♥ Help a labouring mother believe in her abilities to know her body, her labour and her baby
♥ Help women trust this knowledge
♥ Help women discover and draw on their strength to do their very best and be proud of their effort and outcome
♥ Compliment rather then displace that partner
♥ Provide support and encouragement for both the mother and her partner as they birth their baby
♥ Seeks to empower her clients with her knowledge of the birth process and it's variations and the choices to be made while respecting the integrity of the parents choices
♥ Advocate for the woman and can facilitate communication with medical staff
♥ Recommend a variety of labour coping skills, labour management techniques, while reminding the couple of their options and goals
♥ Strives to maintain a calm atmosphere
♥ Fully understands the impact the birth experience can have on a woman's life
♥ Wants to provide a positive birth experience memory
♥ Help women have a satisfying birth experience
Contact me to discuss what I, as a doula, can do for you and your birthing experience!