Doula/Labor Coach

 

what does a doula do?

 

A Doula's main role is to provide emotional support to a mother during her labor. But this isn't the only job a doula takes on during this beautiful time.

​    

       Roles of a Doula Include:

 

• Emotional Support

• Provide comfort measures such as breathing, relaxation, movement, positioning

• Provides couple with information

• Comforts mother and continuously provides reassurement

• Helps a mother become informed about various birth choices

• Advocates for the mother and helps facilitate communication between the mother and her care providers

• Looks after her partner as well, but their primary responsibility is to the mother

 

 

       What a doula doesn't do:

 

• They are NOT medical professionals

• They do not perform clinical tasks such as vaginal exams or fetal heart monitoring

• They do not give medical advice or diagnose conditions

• They do not judge you for the decisions that you make

• They do not let the their personal biases get in the way of caring for you

• They do not take over the role of your husband or partner

• The do not deliver the baby

• They do not change shifts

 

According to DONA International, a doula is a professional who is trained in chilbirth and provides continuous support to a mother before, during, and just after birth(or during the postpartum period). Doula comes from a Greek word that means 'a woman who serves' or 'handmaiden'.

 

​