The Role of a Doula
A doula provides emotional, informational, and physical support to a laboring mom and her partner during the birth of their child. What does this mean? That depends on your hopes and needs for your birth, but often includes:
As a doula, I work for you, not for your care provider or birth place. DONA International has extensive information on the role and benefits of having a doula. Doulas do not provide medical care and they do not perform any clinical tasks.
- reviewing birth plan
- providing or suggesting comfort measures such as offering physical support, changes of position, using a birth ball
- helping with relaxation, breathing during contractions, being a supportive & positive presence that believes in you
- fetching food or other necessities for laboring mom or her partner
- communicating with other family members (i.e. grandparents in the waiting room or on the phone)
- assisting with breastfeeding
As a doula, I work for you, not for your care provider or birth place. DONA International has extensive information on the role and benefits of having a doula. Doulas do not provide medical care and they do not perform any clinical tasks.