What is a Birth Doula?

A Doula is a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth.

A  Birth Doula:

• Recognizes birth as a key life experience that the mother will remember all her life.

• Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor.

• Assists the woman and her partner in preparing for and carrying out their plans for the birth.

• Stays by the side of the laboring woman throughout the entire labor.

• Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, an objective viewpoint and assistance to the woman in getting the information she needs to make good decisions.

• Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and clinical care providers.

• Perceives her role as one who nurtures and protects the woman’s memory of her birth experience.

Scope of Practice
My role is to support and foster confidence, thus empowering the families I serve during childbirth.  I would like to acknowledge that Doulas practice in a variety of ways, so it is important to find one that is best suited to your needs. 

A Doula Does
~Support the decisions of the expectant family
~Offer constant encouragement
~Remind mom to drink and empty bladder
~Suggest appropriate positions
~Suggest appropriate comfort measures (massage, shower, hot/cold packs, birth ball...)
~Support the partner
~Possess technical knowledge
~Act in an appropriate and professional manner throughout the entire birth process

A Doula Does Not
~Make decisions for the mom or partner
~Argue with hospital staff
~Perform clinical tasks (such as heart tone checks or vaginal exams)
~Operate or touch medical equipment

This is a brief statement, reflecting the Doula’s scope of practice. To find out more about Doulas, or if you have further questions, concerns or ideas, please contact:
Doulas of North America (DONA) www.DONA.org