What is a Doula Brenda Whyland Certified Birth doula supports families

The word Doula is used to refer to a woman experienced in childbirth that provides continuous physical, emotional and informational /Advocacy support to a mother and her family before, during and just after childbirth.

Labor support is defined as a therapeutic presence of another person in which human-to-human interaction with caring behaviors is practiced.

A Birth doula is a companion who supports a birthing person during labor and birth. They have been specially trained to provide continuous, one-on-one care as well as giving emotional, physical, and informational/Advocacy support to the birthing person and their family.

Emotional support helps mothers and familys to feel cared for, and giving them a sense of pride working through their fears and self doubts throughout labor so they can be empowered and have a positive birth memories with the birth of their baby.

Physical support is to help you to maintain a sense of control, comfort, and confidence.

Informational/Advocacy support helps you get the evidenced- based information that you can understand and need to make the decisions that is best for your family.

While giving these types of support my doula role and agenda is tied solely to you and your family.

Why have a Birth Doula?

She will be a familiar, experienced person who understands and trusts the birthing process, whom wants nothing more than for you to have an informed, positive birth experience. She can give the continuous attention, understanding, encouragement and trust that you need to guide you to motherhood. At the same time she understands that there is a time and place for medical interventions. She will ensure that you get the information you need to make important decisions and can help your family or partner find helpful ways to support you. She will remind the staff of your Birth Plan, which allows you to concentrate on becoming a family instead of forcing you into a role you are inexperienced with or uncomfortable with.

A laboring woman is never alone or left unattended.

Why hire a Birth Doula?

Research studies all over the world have shown

and prove that doula support decreases:

Length of Labor - 25%
Cesarean rate - 50%
Epidural - 60%
Use of forceps - 57%
Use of Pitocin - 71%
Use of pain medications - 35%

Long term benefits include:

Decrease postpartum depression
Improved breastfeeding
Increases mother/baby/family bonding
Have a more informed positive birth experience
Have healthier outcomes
Lower cost

A doula has been said to be the only obstetrical

intervention shown to benefit mothers without

any harmful side effects.

What is a Doula?

Healthy pregnant women instinctively know how to birth their babies, just as their bodies instinctively know how to conceive and how to nurture the developement of their babies.

Women need mothering during labor and birth. A doula can act as this mother without the emotional entanglements that occur when it is actually your mother.

Partners and Doulas Helping Together

Partners, as a "labor coach" are expected to meet the needs that their partner requires during labor no matter how long or hectic it may get. Partners sometimes feel pressured to take on a role that they feel insecure and uncomfortable with (most partners are having their own emotional journey that requires support by the doula) but are hesitant to share this with their partner. And some women are hesitant to suggest a doula for fear of hurting their partners feelings. So with a doula, both mom and partner can relax under the care of their doula knowing they are getting the best information, care and support during the birth of their baby. Partners can take a break from the emotional intensity to eat rest and get comfort without feeling they are abandoning their partner in need. A partner who may be hesitant to have a doula often becomes the doula's greatest advocate after the birth. With a Partner's loving attention and a doula's expertise, the mother can labor with ease and confidence and have the wonderful birth that they have chosen.

However you decide to have your baby, a doula can help you achieve the birth that you want, whether it's medicated, unmedicated or a cesarean birth.