The Beginning
The Greek work doula means woman caregiver. We now use the word to describe a trained and experienced labor compannion who provides the physical comfort and assistance in obraining inforamtion 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.
- Faciliitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner, and clincal care providers.
- Perceives her role as one who nurtures and protects the woman's memory of her birth experience.
