What is a doula, anyway?

Ever since I announced that I was studying to become a doula, I've had to answer many questions about this new adventure in my life.  One of the most asked questions has been, " What's a doula?"  I thought it would be an appropriate place to start my blog by defining this calling I have found.  So, without further ado...

What is a Doula?

In ancient Greek, the word doula means “servant” – usually the most favored female servant in the household who would be honored by attending the lady of the house during the birth of her child.  Today, the word doula means a woman who has received training by one of several international organizations and attends women and their families during birth.  (I, by the way, am being certified through CAPPA - Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association, a terrific organization based here in Atlanta, but doing great work around the globe).

What does a Doula do?

A doula adheres to a set of standards and provides emotional, educational and physical support prenatally and continually during labor and birth.  Doulas do NO clinical tasks such as internal exams or heartbeat checks.  They intertwine their care with the wisdom of a mother’s nurses, midwives and physicians.  Doulas may be trained in the use of massage, breathing techniques, relaxation, acupressure, hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, physiological positioning to enhance labor as well as the anatomy and physiology of the childbirth process.

The really exciting part is the research showing the BENEFITS to mom of having a doula - this is excerpted from Mothering the Mother: How a Doula Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier and Healthier Birth, Klaus, Kennel and Klaus (1993).

Twenty years of research and a multi-clinical trial study show that doulas can have a significant impact on the birth process.  It is important to point out, however, that if a birthing facility has taken steps to reduce the c-section rate, then the first percentage may not be precise.

• 50% reduction in the c-section rate
• 25% shorter labor
• 60% reduction in epidural requests
• 40% reduction in pitocin (oxytocin) use
• 30% reduction in analgesia use
• 40% reduction in forceps delivery

Over the coming posts, I'll share with you more about how I discovered this calling, and what led me to choose to become one of these "doulas".  I hope you'll stay tuned!

 Question: Have any of you ever heard of a doula before?  Have you used one in your births?  How did having a doula impact your experience?