What is a doula?
The word "doula" is a Greek word meaning “a woman who serves.” In labor support terms, a doula refers to a specifically trained birth companion who provides support during and after birth. The doula does not provide clinical tasks. The doula's primary function is to provide the pregnant person, their partner and family with continuous emotional support, physical comfort and assistance in obtaining information before, during and just after childbirth. (This may include very specific cultural practices that the family wishes to incorporate into their birthing experience.)
--adapted from the BC Aboriginal Birth Doula Manual, 2nd Edition, 2011
--adapted from the BC Aboriginal Birth Doula Manual, 2nd Edition, 2011
What are the benefits?
Doula-assisted birthing persons were four times less likely to have a low birth weight (LBW) baby, two times less likely to experience a birth complication involving themselves or their baby, and significantly more likely to initiate breastfeeding.
Communication with and encouragement from a doula throughout the pregnancy may have increased the mother’s self-efficacy regarding her ability to impact her own pregnancy outcomes.
--from the Journal of Perinatal Education
Doula-assisted birthing persons were four times less likely to have a low birth weight (LBW) baby, two times less likely to experience a birth complication involving themselves or their baby, and significantly more likely to initiate breastfeeding.
Communication with and encouragement from a doula throughout the pregnancy may have increased the mother’s self-efficacy regarding her ability to impact her own pregnancy outcomes.
--from the Journal of Perinatal Education