What does a Doula do?
DO
-
Provide educational, physical and emotional support.
-
Support the birth you want.
-
Listen to you.
-
Provide flexible tailored support throughout different scenarios.
-
Encourage communication with your medical caregivers.
-
Can be a huge support for your partner.
-
Help you deal with the unexpected.
-
Help you create your birth preference and postnatal support plan.
-
Help you know your options to make your decisions.
DON'T
-
Judge your choice, perspective or experience.
-
Push a personal agenda.
-
Give advice or tell you what choices to make.
-
Give medical advice or diagnosis.
-
Perform clinical tasks such as cervical examination, fetal heart monitoring or delivering a baby.
-
Manage the family’s birth experience.
-
Attempt to replace your partner or family member.
What are the benefits of having a Doula?
There is evidence to show that having a doula can mean;
-
Reduced risk of Caesarean birth
-
Reduced risk of instrumental birth
-
Reduced need for painkillers or epidural during birth
-
Reduced rate of induction of labour
-
Shorter labour
-
Increased parental satisfaction with the birth experience
-
Increased likelihood of initiating breastfeeding
-
Increased likelihood of successfully establishing breastfeeding & breastfeeding at 6 weeks
Doula UK's website https://doula.org.uk/research/
