Frequently Asked Questions
A. "Doula" (pronounced "Doo-La")is a Greek word that means "slave" - in reference to a woman who personally serves another woman. Today, the term "Doula" is used to refer to non-medical assistants (either male or female) who work with women and their families during the prenatal, childbirth and postpartum period.
Q. What does a Doula do?
A. There are three kinds of Doulas:
- Antepartum Doula - assists women who are pregnant and who may or may not be high-risk. The Antepartum Doula specializes in assisting women and families with informational, physical, emotional and practical support, which may include: basic childbirth education, referrals of books, website or support groups, teaching relaxation and massage, bed-rest assistance, sibling care, errands, meal preparation and home care.
- Labour Doula (also known as a "Birth Doula", "Labour Assistant", and "Professional Birth Coach") - assists women and her family before, during and after the birth by providing emotional, physical, and informational support. The Labour Doula assists families in preparing a birth plan, provides information about birth options and resources, facilitates communication between the family and the caregiver (i.e. the OB/GYN, midwife, nurse, etc.) and uses their training and expertise to attend to the labouring mother's physical and emotional needs, using massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, positioning suggestions, and more.
- Postpartum Doula - assists the new family at home after the birth of the baby/babies. Their services may include: non-medical baby care, childcare tips, meal preparation, household help, sibling care, and errands.
Q. Does a Doula perform any medical procedures?
A. No. Doulas are non-medical professionals, meaning that they do not perform any clinical tasks, such as: heart rate checks, vaginal exams, cesarean sections, "catching" babies, the administering of medication nor do they recommend/discourage any medical procedures. They are advocates for women and their families - they act as resources, sounding boards, spare hands and support persons.
Q. Why have an Antenatal Doula?
A. Antenatal Doulas provide women with nurturing, emotional, physical and informational support. Many times during pregnancy, families will have questions that arise in between visits with their doctor or midwife. An Antenatal Doula makes herself available to answer those questions, as well as to attend any appointments or tests that an expectant mother may have. In a situation where a woman is on bedrest, an Antenatal Doula can provide company and emotional support.
Q. Do Antenatal Doulas provide transportation for their clients to and from appointments with their care providers?
A. No. Women and their families are responsible for making their own travel arrangements.
Q. Why have a Labour Doula?
A. There are many benefits to having a Labour Doula, which include:
- A 50% reduction in cesarean rates
- A 24% reduction in the length of labour
- A 40% reduction in Oxytocin use
- A 30% reduction rate in narcotic use
- A 30% reduction rate in forceps deliveries
- A 60% reduction rate in epidural use
- Less pressure put on woman's partner to have all the answers
- No being "left alone" because doctors/nurses/midwives are too busy
- Improved breastfeeding
- Increased time spent with baby
- Decreased postpartum depression
- ...and so much more!
Q. But I will already have someone in the room with me! Why should I hire a Labour Doula?
A. A Labour Doula does not replace a woman's companion - rather, the doula helps the woman and suggests techniques her friends and family can use to make her as comfortable as possible. When a woman is giving birth, she looks to those around her to provide her with reassurance, encouragement and assistance...and that can be really intimidating for someone who is not accustomed to the anatomy and experiences of the childbearing woman. When this unfamiliar territory is entered, most often while the partner is seeing the woman they love in pain, it can be very difficult to know how to help. A Labour Doula is trained to guide the companion so that they can provide comfort and support to the woman, and ensures that the individual accompanying the labouring woman can take breaks to go to the washroom, stretch their legs, get some rest, eat a snack without the fear of leaving their loved one alone.
Q. I don't have any friends or family who can be with me when I give birth. May I still use a Labour Doula?
A. Absolutely! In fact, a Doula would be able to provide you with company, coping techniques, and emotional support during and after your baby/babies' birth. Whether you are a new Canadian, a young mom, or new to the area, there is no need to "go it alone" - a Doula is there to help you through it all.
Q. Does using the services of a Labour Doula mean that I can't have an epidural?
A. The goal of a Labour Doula is not to ensure that women who desire pain medication do not receive it. The job of a Labour Doula is to help you to achieve as many of your birth goals as possible. Your birth goals may entail having a completely natural birth without the aid of medication, or it may be to find ways to manage the discomfort until you are able to receive medication. Your Doula is your advocate, not your adversary.
Q. I am planning a homebirth. Can I still use the services of a Labour Doula?
A. Most Labour Doulas attend women and their families at just about any safe place a woman would like to give birth - home, birth centre, hospital, friends' house...as long as it is within the geographical area the Labour Doula works in, they are very accommodating to the needs of their clients.
Q. Will a Labour Doula attend a stillbirth?
A. Many Labour Doulas will assist women and their families with birthing a deceased infant. They will also be able to provide you with suggested readings, community resources, and emotional support.
Q. I have certain religious/spiritual/cultural rituals that I would like to be performed at my child's birth. Will a Labour Doula accommodate my needs?
A. Most Labour Doulas are happy to help families "personalize" the day of birth upon request.
Q. Why have a Postpartum Doula?
A. The first four months after having a new baby are filled with joy, wonder and excitement. They are also filled with exhaustion, concern and endless questions. On top of providing professional, patient breastfeeding assistance, a Postpartum Doula allows Mama to get a couple hours of rest while she watches the baby. Postpartum Doulas are specially trained to teach the basics of managing life with an infant and they can suggest community resources that can benefit a growing family. Postpartum Doulas are also a wonderful support system for people who are new to Canada or for individuals unable to receive support from their families.
Here is a fantastic video made by Rachel DesRochers, Jamison Bornemann and Julie Clevidence that explains the role of a labour doula and what parents, care providers and doulas say about professional labour support:
Didn't get the answer to your question? Feel free to e-mail me at beth.murch@gmail.com
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