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| Frequently Asked Questions about Doulas |
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What effects does a doula have on birth outcomes?
Numerous clinical studies have found that a doula’s presence at birth:
Numerous clinical studies have found that a doula’s presence at birth:
- tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications
- reduces negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience
- reduces the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction
- reduces the requests for pain medication and epidurals, as well as the incidence of cesareans
What effects does the presence of a doula have on the mother?
When a doula is present during and after childbirth, women report greater satisfaction with their birth experience, make more
positive assessments of their babies, have fewer cesareans and requests for medical intervention, and less postpartum
depression.
When a doula is present during and after childbirth, women report greater satisfaction with their birth experience, make more
positive assessments of their babies, have fewer cesareans and requests for medical intervention, and less postpartum
depression.
What effects do the presence of doulas have on babies?
Studies have shown that babies born with doulas present tend to have shorter hospital stays with fewer admissions to special
care nurseries, breastfeed more easily and have more affectionate mothers in the postpartum period.
Studies have shown that babies born with doulas present tend to have shorter hospital stays with fewer admissions to special
care nurseries, breastfeed more easily and have more affectionate mothers in the postpartum period.
Does a doula replace nursing staff?
No. Doulas do not replace nurses or other medical staff. Doulas do not perform clinical or medical tasks such as taking blood
pressure or temperature, monitoring fetal heart rate, doing vaginal examinations or providing postpartum clinical care. They are
there to comfort and support the mother and to enhance communication between the mother and medical professionals.
No. Doulas do not replace nurses or other medical staff. Doulas do not perform clinical or medical tasks such as taking blood
pressure or temperature, monitoring fetal heart rate, doing vaginal examinations or providing postpartum clinical care. They are
there to comfort and support the mother and to enhance communication between the mother and medical professionals.
Will my nurse give me doula care?
No. Doulas are trained to comfort you using emotional, physical, and information support. She will rub your feet and back, hold
you in her arms to comfort you, make position change suggestions, use aromatherapy, rebozo methods for comfort and pushing
and more. She is there to give you every opportunity to achieve a natural childbirth if that is your intention. Nurses are trained to
respond medically to your concerns. They will offer you epidurals or other pain medications in response to discomfort. They will
inform you with information that falls in line with hospital common practice. The nurses are unfortunately very busy and when
they are with you will mostly be focusing on clinical concerns and paperwork. Their job is not the same as the job a doula will
have with you.
No. Doulas are trained to comfort you using emotional, physical, and information support. She will rub your feet and back, hold
you in her arms to comfort you, make position change suggestions, use aromatherapy, rebozo methods for comfort and pushing
and more. She is there to give you every opportunity to achieve a natural childbirth if that is your intention. Nurses are trained to
respond medically to your concerns. They will offer you epidurals or other pain medications in response to discomfort. They will
inform you with information that falls in line with hospital common practice. The nurses are unfortunately very busy and when
they are with you will mostly be focusing on clinical concerns and paperwork. Their job is not the same as the job a doula will
have with you.
Does a doula make decisions on my behalf?
A doula does not make decisions for clients or intervene in their clinical care. She provides informational and emotional support,
while respecting a woman’s decisions. If she feels you could use more informational support (especially in cases where she
thinks hospital staff may have glossed over or skipped other options you may have) she will tell you this personally and privately
so you can ask more questions if necessary and make informed choices.
A doula does not make decisions for clients or intervene in their clinical care. She provides informational and emotional support,
while respecting a woman’s decisions. If she feels you could use more informational support (especially in cases where she
thinks hospital staff may have glossed over or skipped other options you may have) she will tell you this personally and privately
so you can ask more questions if necessary and make informed choices.
Will a doula make my partner feel unnecessary?
No, a doula is supportive to both the mother and her partner, and plays a crucial role in helping a partner become involved in the
birth to the extent he/she feels comfortable.
No, a doula is supportive to both the mother and her partner, and plays a crucial role in helping a partner become involved in the
birth to the extent he/she feels comfortable.