A birth doula
- recognizes birth as a wonderful part of life that the mother will remember all of her life
- understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a women in labor
- assists the women and her partner in preparing and carrying out their plans for the birth
- provides support in hospitals, birthing centers and homes
- stays by the side of the laboring women throughout the entire labor
- provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, and objective view point, and assistance to the woman in getting the information she needs to make good decisions
- facilitates communication between the laboring women, her partner, and clinical care providers
- perceives her role as one who nurtures and protects the woman's memory of her birth experience
A postpartum doula refers to lay women who are trained or experienced in providing:
- postpartum care
- mother and newborn care
- breastfeeding support and advice
- childcare
- running errands such as light grocery or Walmart shopping
- light domestic chores such as washing up the dishes, washing a load or two of laundry, cooking a small meal
*Having a doula to assist during childbirth is highly recommended by health care professionals, mothers, fathers or birth partners, no matter how much support you have. Enlisting the services of a doula would also be a great recommendation for mother's who's spouses or partners are deployed, or if you are a single parent. This also makes a great gift from the Grandparents who wish they were there to help, but couldn't make it at the time.
A prenatal doula refers to lay women who are trained or experienced in providing:
- emotional support
- companionship
- breastfeeding preparation
- childcare
- running errands such as light grocery or Walmart shopping
- light domestic chores such as washing up the dishes, washing a load or two of laundry, cooking a small meal
- attending prenatal appointments with the mother
- exercise support if allowed by a doctor
