What Is A Doula?

According to Merriam-Webster’s Medical Dictionary, a doula is: a woman experienced in childbirth who provides advice, information, and emotional support to a mother before, during, and just after childbirth. She is a coach, helping both you and your baby have a safe and potentially shorter, more natural labor and delivery.

The Benefits of Having A Doula

Usually pregnant women will contact a doula long before their due date to meet with her and go over a birth plan. This helps her, as your coach to know exactly what your goals are for labor and delivery, and whether or not pain management is an option for you. For those women who are opposed to using pain management such as an epidural , she will go over techniques that can aid you in the process more naturally.

Depending on your doula, if you would like her to, she will most likely come to your home during early labor, to assist you in breathing and help to comfort your fears. Her job is to offer emotional and physical support, helping you to relax. She will massage, play soft music, light candles (if the hospital allows), anything she can do to make you more comfortable.

*If you are interested in having a doula, many hospitals and birthing centers keep lists of practicing doulas in your area. So ask your doctor, he or she should be able to help.

***Keep in mind, the advice we are giving here is instructional only, we are not medical professionals, and this is for healthy women with normal pregnancies. If you are a high risk pregnancy, or have medical problems, this would not apply to you.

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