The other day I asked my friend, Amy Farr, to share with my readers what it is that she does. Amy is a doula and if your town is anything like mine- many people you will run into don’t even know exactly what a doula is. That’s okay- it’s why I wanted her to tell us more about what a doula is and why she loves being one.
The word “doula” comes from ancient Greek and refers to “a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and after childbirth.
A doula is not there to replace the role of the partner but to enhance it. Some partners want to be there and just be in the moment. Having a doula present allows the partner to be as involved as he/she is comfortable being.
A doula believes in a woman’s body and it’s ability to birth. A doula is the one person present during labor and birth who is solely focused on the needs of the mother and partner. She anticipates the mother’s needs, helps to provide comfort and helps the mother obtain all the information that she needs to allow her to make decisions when it comes to any interventions that may come up.Studies have shown a decrease in interventions when a doula is present. C-section rates are lower, use of anesthesia is lower, breastfeeding rates are higher, post-partum depression rates are lower and bonding is increased when a doula is present.
As a doula I feel blessed and honored to be included in each and every birth that I attend. My goal is to help women to feel empowered by their birth experience. With all of the interventions that women face nowadays too many women feel like birth was something that was done to them and not like they were an active participant in the process. Part of the doulas responsibility it to nurture and protect the mother’s memory of her experience.
If you or someone you know may be interested in finding a doula for your next birth experience check out Dona.com for information. To read more about Amy Farr and her doula mission please visit Blessed Arrivals.
Did you have a doula for you child’s birth? How did she help you in the different stages before, during, and after the blessed event?
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I’ve used midwives before but never a Dula I think it would be so cool. If I ever have another child I will seriously consider it. Thanks for the post!
If I ever needed a hospital birth for some reason, I would have my midwife act as my doula, because she is so calm, and could help intersect the staff so that my hubby could concentrate on me. But for a home birth, I don’t feel doulas are as necessary. Although I suppose my hubby might like to have someone else getting my ice water for me during labor.:-)
I do think that doulas are a wonderful idea, especially for those women who intend to have a “natural” birth in a hospital setting.
I used a doula and a midwife for my son’s birth and they were both terrific. I would definitely choose to have one again.
Both of my birthings were done at a hospital without a doula, although I am very open to them. I have close friends that have used them and they have had tremendously positive experiences with them.
On a few occasions, I have given serious thought about researching and finding out more about the profession to become one. What an incredible gift to have to be able to assist women in what should be the most wonderful experience in their lives!
When I got pregnant with my now 2 year old, I wanted a home birth so badly. We found after a lengthy search that there were no doulas or midwives in my area…the nearest being over 2 hours away. We decided on an unassisted homebirth. We got a large tub, candles, relaxing music and I used the hypnobabies method to relax. Well, after 12 hours of labor without results, we ended up going to the hospital in a rush and having a Cesarian section. It was a horrible experience, and I was so dissapointed. Baby blues set in, and I felt so bad that my dream home birth wasn’t possible because my little 4’9″ frame couldn’t push out the baby from my much larger husband.
I’m completely over the experience now, but would love for there to be more doula’s and midwives out there. If I had one available to me, I may have known much earlier that I needed to go to the hospital, but more importantly, I would have had someone by my side to let me know that the circumstances weren’t my fault. That the birth was a beautiful experience, even though it wasn’t what I had expected or planned.
[…] your friends who are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant about it! To find out more about what a doula is, read our post entitled Doulas Have Heart And Are By Your Side During Childbirth. […]
[…] being a part of our Blogiversary Celebration! I asked Amy to write this post as a follow-up to the previous post that she wrote for Mommy News & Views Blog and to be part of our Blogiversary Celebration. But […]
My wife and I went through the Bradley Method for our first child and were going to use a doula but as it turned out our first child birth was NOTHING like we imagined or hoped for.
@Janeen we had a similar experience! We were waiting for labor at home as we are well over an hour away from the hospital, then our doctor said we had a 90% chance of the baby being too big better go to the hospital, then they used misoprostal to at least try for a natural birth and eventually had a c-section after 2 days in the hospital.
A doula would have given us a better perspective on what the doctors were telling us and we may have made different decisions.
At least we had a healthy baby and at the end of the day no matter how the difference in what our expectations were to the reality of how it went down we have a happy healthy family and that is what matters most!
I wasn’t aware of the concept of Doula. It does sound a lot more comforting. I have used a midwife in my first birth, but never used a Doula. I’m pregnant right now, due on 6 months. You’re right a woman can understand and comfort a pregnant woman like noone else… and somebody who’s a professional… I’d like that experience. Pregance, though this is my second, is still va very crucial time and I’m as nervous as the first time. Also, I love this website, have added it to my favourites. thank you..
I really like the concept… but where do I find a Doula… I’m in India… Can my sister become my Doula… and how?
Hi Jason, You can find a doula at DONA International: http://www.dona.org/ – your sister can also act as a doula for you, but since she doesn’t have any training, she would be more of a personal support person than a Doula. Best of luck to you. — Judy