“There is a secret in our culture, and it’s not that birth is painful. It’s that women are strong.” ~ Laura Stavoe Harm
What is a Doula?
• A doula knows that each mother's birth is special and unique.
• Is educated in the physiological and emotional process or birth, pregnancy and postpartum
• Supports the mother and family through the events of birth and making sure that they are prepared mentally and physically.
• Is a constant attendant to the mother throughout labor, offering emotional, and physical support, offering to give the mother what she needs during her labor.
• Education, doulas offer education resources so parents can inform themselves in making the best decisions for their families.
• Holds sacred space for the mother and her family.
• Birth Arts doulas are trained in privacy, ethics and confidentiality, this is so parents can be assured that their story is protected and help sacred.
Although the word doula has it origins in ancient Greece depicting a household servant or slave of high ranking who assisted women in labor, the idea of servant or slave is antiquated and does not depict the true profession of a modern doula. The modern doula is a women who "Mothers the Mother" offering emotional and physical support to the mother, enabling the mother to have an empowering, gratifying birth experience for her and her family.
• Is educated in the physiological and emotional process or birth, pregnancy and postpartum
• Supports the mother and family through the events of birth and making sure that they are prepared mentally and physically.
• Is a constant attendant to the mother throughout labor, offering emotional, and physical support, offering to give the mother what she needs during her labor.
• Education, doulas offer education resources so parents can inform themselves in making the best decisions for their families.
• Holds sacred space for the mother and her family.
• Birth Arts doulas are trained in privacy, ethics and confidentiality, this is so parents can be assured that their story is protected and help sacred.
Although the word doula has it origins in ancient Greece depicting a household servant or slave of high ranking who assisted women in labor, the idea of servant or slave is antiquated and does not depict the true profession of a modern doula. The modern doula is a women who "Mothers the Mother" offering emotional and physical support to the mother, enabling the mother to have an empowering, gratifying birth experience for her and her family.
How Does a Doula Serve a Family?
The doula serves as an advocate, labor coach, and an informative resource for the mother and her partner the added comfort of additional support all through the entire labor. Certainly, having loved ones such as a spouse with the mother does provide some added comfort and support. However, as the published literature continues to show, it is the support of a trained and experienced woman that results in the greatest benefits. It is important for the doula to offer up to date current resources and information to the parents. Birth Arts Doulas can do this.
The doula also acts as a go between for mother and care staff, spouse or partner and family and visitors.
The doula also acts as a go between for mother and care staff, spouse or partner and family and visitors.
What Does a Doula Do?
The following is a basic description of what you might expect from a Birth Arts certified labor doula. Typically, doulas meet with the parents in the second or third trimester of the pregnancy to get acquainted and to learn about prior birth experiences and the history of this pregnancy. She may help you develop a birth plan, teach relaxation, visualization, and breathing skills useful for labor. Most importantly, the doula will provide comfort, support, and information about birth options.
A doula provides:
(Information Provided by Birth Arts International)
A doula provides:
- Information to the parents that is current and evidence based.
- Uninterrupted labor support for the mother during labor.
- Emotional, physical and personal support.
- Helps the mother to relax and rest in labor
- Encourage proper nutrition and work with her to attain proper nutrition
- Being a presence in the environment that assists the woman feels secure and confident.
- Providing her with and information on birth options.
(Information Provided by Birth Arts International)