Labor Doula
A doula is a person who attends the birthing family before, during, and just after the birth of the baby.
A doula is trained to deliver emotional support from home to the place of birth, ease the transition into
the place of birth, and be there through any changing shifts and alternating provider schedules. The doula
serves as an advocate, labor coach, and information source to give the mother and her partner the added
comfort of additional support throughout the entire labor. There are a variety of titles used by women
offering these kinds of services such "birth assistant", "labor support specialist",
and "doula". With a trained doula there are statistical advantages:
- 50% reduction in Cesarean rates
- 25% shorter labor
- 60% reduction in epidural requests
- 40% reduction in oxytocin use
- 30% reduction in analgesia use
- 40% reduction in forceps delivery
- From *Mothering the Mother: How a Doula Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier and
Healthier Birth*, by Klaus, Kennell, and Klaus (1993)
Postpartum Doula
A postpartum doula is a woman who assists the new mother, baby, and the rest of her family within the
first few weeks after the birth of the baby. Postpartum
doulas are good with children, patient, non-judgemental, and knowledgeable about newborn care and
breastfeeding. The postpartum doula may offer the following:
- breastfeeding tips
- baby care and advice
- household help
- sibling care
- meal preparation
- errand running
They do not offer any form of medical advice regarding either the mother or the baby, nor do they
perform any clinical tasks such as blood pressure checks or vaginal exams.
Antepartum Doulas
An antepartum doula is a person who has achieved specific training that relates to assisting pregnant women
who are classified as high risk, pregnant women who may or may not be on bedrest, or pregnant women with medical
conditions necessitating the need for help.
This assistance includes education and physical support such as:
- bed rest assistance
- sibling care
- errands
- meal preperation
- home care
- emotional support
The antepartum doula does not perform any clinical care. This role is strictly non-medical. The
antepartum doula has extensive knowledge and training in the area of high risk pregnancy support.
But What About Dad?
The doula is not meant to sideline or replace the partner/father. The father or partner may be able
to provide continuous support, but typically has little actual experience in dealing with the labor
process. Even more important, many fathers experience the birth as an emotional journey of their own
and find it hard to be objective in such a situation.
Studies have shown that fathers usually participate more actively during labor with the presence of a
doula than without one. A responsible doula supports and encourages the father in his support style
rather than replaces him.
This information courtesy of CAPPA.
