So what is the role of a Doula? 

                               

 

  

Doulas “mother the mother” 

 

• Provides emotional support to mother and her partner

• Aids in comfort measures: breathing, relaxation, movement, positioning, massage

• Continuously reassures and comforts the mother (the key word is continuous—a doula rarely leaves the mother’s side)

• Helps a mother become informed about various birth choices

• Advocates for the mother and helps facilitate communication between the mother and care provider

• Can take photos of labor and birth if requested 

• Doula's respect your vision and decisions you make regarding your birth choices 

 

 

 

 What doulas do NOT do:

 

• Doulas are NOT medical professionals

• They do not perform clinical tasks such as vaginal exams or fetal heart monitoring

• They do not give medical advice or diagnose conditions

• They do not judge you for decisions that you make

• They do not let their personal values or biases get in the way of caring for you 

• They do not take over the role of your husband or partner, but rather support their ability to better support you

• They do not deliver the baby

 

You can read more about what doulas do and do not do in the DONA International’s standard of practice for birth doulas

"If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it."

 

~John H. Kennell, MD