About Doula

                A Doula is a woman who is trained, knowledgeable, and experienced in providing women and couples with physical, emotional, and informational support before,during and after childbirth.

Birth Doula

A birth doula is focused on working with women and couples to achieve a desirable birth experience. She is trained in labour comfort techniques and the many emotional and physical needs of women during labour. She has knowledge of medications, variations of normal childbirth and complications that can occur. Your birth Doula is also knowledgeable of hospital policies and procedures and works professionally with your other care providers.

Unlike nurses, doctors, and midwives, a Doula has no clinical responsibilities and she works for you, not the hospital. A Doula is not subject to shift changes and work breaks… Her presence and support is continuous. She can relay your requests to hospital staff and help you with any decisions you may have to make.

A Doula does not impose any of her personal beliefs about childbirth on you. She will provide you with information and help you make informed choices to achieve the birth experience you desire.

Doulas work together with fathers to provide the mother with total support during her labour. The Doula uses her knowledge of labour comfort positions, massage, breathing techniques, and information about hospital procedures to support you, while the father provides his loving presence and emotional support. A labouring woman will never be left alone or uncared for when she has these two important components of labour support. For more information on how dads and Doulas work together, click here: http://www.dona.org/PDF/DadsandDoulas.pdf

Postpartum Doula

A postpartum Doula is focused on working with families after their new baby is born and the family has returned home. She helps to ensure the transition into a new family unit is as smooth and healthy as possible. A postpartum Doula does this by providing information about infant care, emotional and physical needs of new mothers, breastfeeding assistance, help with housework and cooking, taking care of older children, helping the new mother get the rest that she needs, and also by providing families with information about community resources that they may find helpful.

A postpartum doula is especially helpful for families that do not have extended family nearby to help out; where the father must return to work soon after the baby is born; where the mother is recovering from a caesarean section; or where there are older children to look after.

A postpartum doula understands the many physical and emotional changes that occur when a new baby is introduced to a family and she works alongside a family to make this time healthy and positive.

For more information about birth and postpartum doulas please visit www.dona.org or www.doula.com