Every Woman in Labor Deserves a Doula

Please also view page 11 of the December 2010 issue of Natural Awakenings for a Community Spotlight on Jessica Queller Katz and how she found her calling as a Birth Doula.

“Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily.”  DONA International

Doulas have been around for as long as women have been giving birth, yet when most hear the word, it needs further explanation.  The word doula is Greek meaning “Woman’s servant”.  It can have other meanings such as birth attendant and labor companion. Birth Doulas provide non-medical physical and emotional support to a woman throughout her entire labor and delivery of her baby in any setting, hospital or at home.  There are also Postpartum Doulas that provide in-home care for the mother after the birth of her baby, including help with errands, light housekeeping, newborn care, and breastfeeding.

Today, more and more women are seeking the care of Doulas to support them during their childbirth experience.  The presence of a Doula is not to take the place of the husband or partner, rather to work with the family as an integral part of the birth team.  Most Doulas are in this field because they are passionate about birth and ‘have a calling’ to nurture a woman in labor.  She brings a calm presence that affects a positive, loving experience.  She can be the guardian angel waiting in the corner of the room until needed/wanted or she can offer continuous tricks of the trade (i.e.: massage, position variations, guided imagery, and other relaxation methods).

A Doula is a wealth of information on pregnancy and childbirth and serves as an informational resource during labor as well.  Often couples preparing for an upcoming birth enroll in childbirth classes, breastfeeding classes, etc.  These are all beneficial and offer an abundance of information that can become overwhelming to recall during the ‘heat of labor’, especially for first-time parents.  Doulas offer a sense of assurance that someone is by their side at every moment to answer questions, especially in a busy hospital setting where doctors and nurses may not be readily available.  She helps couples get the necessary information so they can make informed decisions related to their medical care.  A Doula will also know when to step back during a true medical emergency so as not to be a detriment to the health care providers.

Additional Benefits of a Doula’s Presence at Birth:

• More positive feelings about the experience
• Greater sense of support, security and being cared for
• Decreased need for medical interventions in normal labor
• Reduced rate of C-section
• Less incidence of mother’s request for pain medication, epidurals
• Increased self-confidence
• Less tendency for postpartum depression

Childbirth should be a joyous and positive experience for mother, baby and her family.  It is an honor and privilege for a Doula to be invited into this most natural and normal life process.  For more information on having a Doula at an upcoming birth, or for assistance in locating a trained Doula professional in your area, please contact us directly at Jessica@EssenceNJ.com.