What is a doula anyway?
Before I got started on my journey to becoming a doula I didn’t really have a full understanding of what a doula actually did. I thought a doula and a midwife were like the same thing, which is a common misconception. A midwife is essentially replacing the doctor and that is a long way from a what a doula has to offer.
A doula does not provide medical advice in any way at any stage of pregnancy or in delivery. A doula works for the pregnant mother to provide her with physical support, emotional support, partner support and evidenced based information should questions arise. A doula will help the mother create her birth plan and will help her stick to her birth plan throughout her labor and delivery. She will advocate for the mothers wishes throughout her laboring process should advocacy be needed.
Specifically the doula will offer comfort measures in labor from beginning to the end. Comfort measures include but are not limited to: physical positions to help the positioning of the baby as well as comfort for the mother, comforting touch, breathing techniques, words of encouragement and partner support. A doula will offer to assist with all details of the birth plan down to music, scent, lighting adjustments, bathing desires and whatever wishes are discussed and added to the birthing plan.
A doulas job is not over when the baby has arrived. She will offer more emotional support, assistance with nursing and potentially the most important part; a re-count of the labor and delivery with the parents. Birth is so amazing and having another person there to discuss and remember your birth to remind you of things that happened or that she saw that you may have forgotten or not even noticed. Writing your birth story post birth is something I personally did not do, but wish I had. As the years go bye we forget the details and how amazing for you and your family to be able to recall, remember and cherish every birth! The benefits of a doula are amazing, if I was to have any more children, I of course wouldn’t do it without one!
With Love,
Brooke Elizabeth
