What is a birth doula?

A birth doula provides emotional, physical, and educational support to the mother and birth partner before, during, and after childbirth. Depending on the mother, there’s at least one prenatal visit, which includes the creation of a birth plan. Support for the mother is provided during the early stages of labor while the mother is still at home. During labor, at the hospital or birthing center, the doula will provide service in person. Following the birth, the doula will stay with the mother for a couple of hours to provide further support and help with initial breastfeeding. At least two in-person postpartum visits will be made to the mother’s residence to offer further support and consultation.

Labor support service includes:

  • Phone consultations in early labor to guide primary partner/father and assess progress.
  • Attending to the laboring mother when she is in active labor, or feels the need to have the doula present.
  • Information about what is happening throughout labor and birth.
  • Use of comfort techniques for pain management (massage, relaxation, heat/cold therapy, hydrotherapy, birth ball, counter pressure, breathing patterns, vocalizations, imagery, etc.)
  • Suggestions to enhance the birthing environment (music, dim light, candles, limiting unnecessary staff)
  • Ideas for non-medical stimulation or progression of labor (position changes, nipple stimulation, acupressure)
  • Suggestions for maternal positioning to help with comfort and progress
  • Involving father or primary support person in ways he/she can help
  • Reminders to mother for nutrition, hydration and urination
  • Sharing client’s preferences or goals with the medical staff
  • Encouragement and support for client’s decisions
  • Accompanying the parents should an unplanned transfer occur from home or birth center to hospital
  • Assistance with positioning and latch for first breastfeeding
  • Bringing food or drink to mother immediately after birth
  • Remaining with family if complications arise with baby or mother
  • On-going breastfeeding support in the first two weeks postpartum, including review of all positions through phone consultations. E-mail and visits as needed (visits dependent upon doula’s availability)
  • Assistance with calming baby and encouraging sleep

Doula's do not perform:

  • Vaginal or pelvic exams
  • Palpations of mother’s uterus to assess position of baby
  • Assessing or recording fetal heart tones
  • Checking mother’s vital signs, including blood pressure, pulse, temperature
  • Give medical advice or diagnose a medical condition
  • Prescribe medications or herbal supplements
  • Read medical charts
  • Give second opinions
  • Persuade clients to follow a particular course
  • Provide food or beverages not approved by the medical caregiver
  • Speak on behalf of the clients
  • Perform any newborn procedures on the baby