Doula

Doula comes from Ancient Greek meaning "female slave." Greek labor supporters as well as various other global doulas, call themselves labour companions or birth workers. 

The concept of a doula is not new. Personal support by a close friend or relative through labor is a tradition that goes back many years in all cultures^. Some women do not live in close-knit communities where their sisters, mothers, aunts, and friends are there to support them through pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood; these events can be scary and can make a woman feel lost if she has to experience them alone.

A doula helps fill this gap by providing support to the woman and her partner or support system throughout the childbearing months. A doula does not replace the support system; instead, they help support them so that they can focus on loving and encouraging the laboring woman. Doulas can serve as a source of information during pregnancy, labor and birth. A doula assists families in gathering information about their pregnancy, labor and the options available for delivery.

Doulas can be trained and experienced in childbirth, however, in most countries there is no government regulation of their training. Their goal is to provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support before and during labour, birth, and the immediate postpartum period. The intent of a doula is to help the woman have a safe and satisfying experience, as the woman defines it.

However, some medical institutions have banned doula participation citing that doulas can "cross the line" during delivery, endangering mother and child. Some doula clients have also found their doulas carried personal agendas into the birthing room that were contrary to their wishes and a risk to their health. A well trained doula understands and works within the doula's scope of practice and should not interfere with any medical aspect of labor and birth.

A labor doula or birth doula is someone (often trained, though this is not required) who provides non-medical support (physical and emotional) to a woman leading up to and during her labor and delivery, an aspect of care that was traditionally practiced in midwifery. A labor doula may attend a woman having a home birth or a woman laboring at home before transporting to a hospital or a birth center, where she will continue support. Doulas do not perform clinical duties such as heart rate checks or vaginal exams, or give medical advice. Labor doulas rely on techniques like massage, aromatherapy, visualization, positive positioning, emotional support, encouragement, and nurturing to help women through labor. Many offer phone and email support as well as prenatal and postpartum visits to ensure the mother is informed and supported. The terms of a labor/birth doula's responsibilities are decided between the doula and the family. The doula is also an ally for the father or partner, who may have little experience with the labor process and may also find the process anxiety provoking. Often the doula will help the partner find ways to support the laboring woman. Studies have shown that childbirth education can help reduce paternal anxiety  and one of the doula's roles is to educate.  A responsible doula supports, encourages, and educates the father or partner in his or her support style rather than replacing them.

Dr. John Kennell, founder of DONA, who has studied the impact doulas have on mothers, babies, and childbirth, says, “If a Doula were a drug, it would be malpractice not to use it”. Studies have shown that these same results may be achieved through the inclusion of a close friend or relative with minimal or even no formal training in the birthing process.  Volunteers play an important role for women who cannot afford to hire a private doula and they can encourage mother-based birth advocacy and may help a woman to feel more empowered during her labor and birth.

A postpartum doula a.k.a. postnatal doula provides support to the mother and family following the birth and immediate postpartum period. This can be for a few days or up to and beyond six weeks, depending on need. This may include breastfeeding support, newborn care assistance, cooking, light housekeeping and errands. Such doulas offer education, companionship and nonjudgmental support during for the few weeks following the birth, as well as 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.

Bonding: Building the Foundations of Secure Attachment and Independence,  November 1995, Drs. John H. Kennell and Marshall H. Klaus, co-author Phyllis Klaus.

Campbell, D., Scott, K. D., Klaus, M. H. and Falk, M. (2007), Female Relatives or Friends Trained as Labor Doulas: Outcomes at 6 to 8 Weeks Postpartum. Birth, 34: 220–227. doi: 10.1111/j.1523-536X.2007.00174.