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What Is A Birth Doula? The Greek word Doula means woman caregiver. A birth (or labor) doula is a woman who has been trained to provide emotional and physical support to both the woman and her partner before labor, throughout childbirth and in the hours following delivery. A doula is also a wonderful resource to provide information for late pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. Before labor, a doula helps the woman and her partner create a birth plan that is right for them. During labor and delivery, a doula provides constant support for the woman and her partner. She suggests positions that can ease the woman's pain, help the baby descend into the pelvis and get in a favorable birthing position, and speed labor and delivery. She also helps with breathing techniques during the different stages of labor. The doula and partner work together to comfort and ease the pain of the laboring woman. She can also provide breaks for the partner to eat or rest. Immediately following delivery, a doula can assist the woman and baby in establishing breastfeeding. In high-risk pregnancies or births and in C-Section deliveries, a doula helps keep the woman comforted and informed. After delivery, she will remain at the woman's side in the event that the partner needs to accompany the newborn to the NICU, or in the case of a c-section, over to the warmer to greet the baby while he/she is being cleaned, measured and given an APGAR rating. This ensures the woman that she will not be left alone and provides comfort to the partner knowing she is being cared for while tending to the baby. A doula is trained in non-medical skills. She does not provide medical advice or perform medical tasks such as vaginal exams, recording vital signs or tracking fetal heart rate. A doula does not speak for the laboring woman or make decisions on her behalf. Many studies have shown that women who have a doula are less inclined to use pain medications. If a woman does choose a medicated birth, the risk of c-section is reduced with the assistance of a doula. |
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