What is a Doula?

The word 'doula' comes from ancient Greece and means a wise woman who cares for other women, especially during childbirth. The purpose of the doula is to 'mother the mother'. In taking care of her emotional and practical needs, she supports her and her partner in having the experience of birth they wish for.

An experienced doula that provides continuous emotional support and assistance before, during, and after birth. Doulas have been shown to shorten first-time births. Studies have revealed that support in labor has profound benefits including shorter labor, less desire for pain medication, lower rate of Caesarian delivery, and more ease in initiation of breast feeding. Fathers reported that they were more relaxed with a Doula present, because they felt reassured and therefore freer to support their mates. While a mother is in labour, she will often have several nurses attend her, and often these nurses will need to care for several women at the same time. A doula provides the continuity of care that medical staff cannot. She listens to the woman during pregnancy, and goes into the labour understanding what is most important to the mother and what kind of birth she is aiming for.

A doula supports a woman's ability to give birth. The benefits of this go far beyond the birth itself; a woman who feels empowered during birth is more likely to cope better with the transition to motherhood, bond easier with her baby and breastfeed with a higher rate of success.

Michelle Paciullo
michellepaciullo@bigpond.com
0417 499 619