Transcript What is a doula? - Phyllis D'Agostino

What is a doula?
What is a doula?
doula – a professional labor or
postpartum support person who
provides emotional support and
information during and after labor. A
doula does not deliver the baby or
have a clinical role at the birth.
"If a doula were a drug, it
would be unethical not to
use it.“
- John H. Kennell, MD
A Birth Doula…
Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will
remember all her life
Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional
needs of a woman in labor
Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her
plans for birth
Stays with the woman throughout the labor
Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures
and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman
get the information she needs to make informed decision
Facilitates communication between the laboring woman,
her partner and her clinical care providers
Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's
memory of the birth experience
Allows the woman's partner to participate at his/her
comfort level
A birth doula certified by DONA International is designated by
the initials CD(DONA).
A Postpartum Doula…
Research evidence shows that the quality services of a
postpartum doula can ease the transition that comes
with the addition of a baby to a family, improve parental
satisfaction and reduce the risk of mood disorders.
A Postpartum Doula
Offers education, companionship and nonjudgmental
support during the postpartum fourth trimester
Assists with newborn care, family adjustment, meal
preparation and light household tidying
Offers evidence-based information on infant feeding,
emotional and physical recovery from birth, infant
soothing and coping skills for new parents and makes
appropriate referrals when necessary
A postpartum doula certified by DONA International is
designated by the initials PCD(DONA).
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 laborinducing drug), forceps or vacuum
extraction and cesareans
reduces the mother’s request for pain
medication and/or epidurals
Research shows parents who
receive support during birth:
Feel more secure and cared for
Are more successful in adapting to new
family dynamics
Have greater success with breastfeeding
Have greater self-confidence
Have less postpartum depression
Have lower incidence of abuse
Continuous Labor Support
71% reduction in oxytocin
augmentation
57% reduction in use of forceps
51% reduction in cesarean births
Reduction in length of labor by an
average of 98 minutes
35% reduction in analgesia use
Source: The Doula Book, 2002, Klaus, Kennell, Klaus
Satisfaction with Partners
Before
pregnancy
During
pregnancy
Since baby
was born
Relationship
better right
after the birth
No Doula
With A Doula
63%
65%
48%
49%
49%
85%
30%
71%
Postpartum Findings
Doula supported mothers:
Spent less time away from their babies
Breastfeed longer
Found their babies more beautiful,
smarter, easier to manage.
Interacted more positively with their
babies.
If you are interested in having a
birth or postpartum doula please
call:
Phyllis R. D'Agostino, M.Ed., Ed.S.
Birth and Postpartum Certified Doula (DONA)
North Carolina Credentialed Parent Educator I (NCPEN)
Lamaze Childbirth Educator Certification (LCCE)
Certified H.U.G. Teacher
Telephone: 336-391-0129
Email: [email protected]
Local doula association:
What is a doula?
Doula is an ancient Greek word meaning “a
woman’s servant.”
A birth doula provides emotional, informational
and physical support during pregnancy, labor, and
birth.
A postpartum doula helps care for the mother and
the newborn in the weeks after birth.
How do I find a doula?
The Piedmont Area Doula Association would like
to help you find the right doula for you. Please
visit www.padanc.org, email [email protected]
or call (336) 397-1008.
10 reasons to consider a doula
Your birth experience matters. The way that you are supported, cared for and
informed throughout the birth will remain with you through life.
Doulas are team players. Although they seek to affirm all other caregivers, a doula is
uniquely trained to handle the non-medical aspects of birth.
Birth holds many unknowns. A doula will help give you confidence to anticipate your
birth as a natural, positive experience.
Doulas are often instrumental in helping Dad or another birth partner assist you.
Dad will probably enjoy the experience more too!
Doula-assisted births statistically show a lower incidence of medical
interventions of all kinds.*
Doula-assisted births statistically show a higher level of maternal satisfaction,
mother-infant bonding and breastfeeding success.*
Doula-assisted births statistically produce a greater sense of accomplishment
and self-esteem in the birthing mother, as well as less postpartum depression.*
A doula will make herself available to get to know you and your birth
preferences, and to help you prepare accordingly.
A doula will meet you where you are, help you see where you will be, and walk
with you until you have arrived.
Having a doula has no known risks.
*for current research findings, visit the website for DONA International: www.dona.org