What is a Doula?

What is a Doula? A doula is a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period. 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, increase breastfeeding success and longevity and reduce the risk of mood disorders.

Birth Doulas Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily. Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother/partner will remember all their lives Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman/partner in labor Assists the woman/partner in preparing for and carrying out plans for their birth Stays with the woman/partner throughout the labor Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman/partner get the information they need to make informed decisions Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman/partner's memory of the birth experience Encourages the woman's partner to participate at his/her comfort level Below is a video created by doulas in Virginia regarding the doulas role.		Postpartum Doulas 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. Offers education, companionship and nonjudgmental support during the postpartum fourth trimester Assists with newborn care, family adjustment, meal preparation and light household tasks Help family members to foster and support the parenting decisions of the new family 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 By mothering the mother, the doula enables the new mother to recover from pregnancy and birth and focus her energy on bonding with her new baby Below is a video of Penny Simkin discussing the history and purpose of birth doulas in supporting women in labor.

Mountain Doulas