The Purpose and Value of Labor Support
by Sarah Wholey © 2005
Doulas Help Moms
Birth is a highly emotional and physical experience. Women can come through this rite of passage feeling as though they have accomplished something amazing and have witnessed a miracle. On the other hand, women can also become disempowered by their medical caregivers and can end up with an experience that leaves them feeling less than competent and less than fulfilled. In addition to educating themselves on the birth process, women can choose medical caregivers who respect their role in the process. Doulas can be extremely helpful in advocating for clients to have the types of births they want.
Doulas have been shown to provide numerous benefits for laboring women. The purpose of providing labor support is to help women reap all these benefits. Shorter labors, fewer epidurals, and fewer Caesarian births are associated with the presence of a doula. In addition, those using doulas have less need for pitocin and pain medications apart from epidurals. Increased satisfaction with the birth experience also leads to a decreased incidence of postpartum depression.
Doulas Help Dads
In addition to the benefits to the mother, other family members benefit from doulas being present at birth. The sole burden of emotional support is shifted away from fathers. It is likely that fathers also benefit from the security in having another person with the parents throughout labor. In busy hospitals, parents are left alone for long stretches of time. It is logical to think that this would be stressful for fathers and that doulas ease this burden.
Doulas Help Babies
With fewer pain medications received by women laboring with doulas, babies certainly reap the benefits of doulas during labor and soon after birth. Babies can be born with fewer drugs in their system, which promotes bonding and nursing. Breastfeeding exclusively is also associated with using a doula during labor. This leads to healthier outcomes for babies.
Doulas Help Families
Other family members certainly can benefit from a doulas presence as well. I received one of the nicest notes from a client’s sister. Their mother had died during an operation in another country and the client and the sister were understandably very distressed when the doctor declared a C-section necessary. Comforting the client’s sister during the C-section provided her with peace of mind and confidence.
Doulas Act Responsibly and Responsively
A doula is responsible for maintaining confidentiality and privacy for her clients. She must honor the commitments that she has set out verbally or in written contracts. She must work on behalf of her clients’ wishes, rather than promoting her own interests.
A doula should provide services at a fair cost and when possible, should volunteer services to those who cannot afford to hire a doula. It is important to note that a doula is not a medical caregiver and should strive to recognize the difference between educating clients and giving medical advice. It is important to foster communication with clients and their medical caregivers.
A doula should act as an advocate for her client. During pregnancy, clients and doulas should discuss various options that may arise during labor and delivery. Working with clients to create birth plans is a useful tool in drawing out the type of birth the client wants. Encouraging clients to discuss birth plans with their medical caregivers in advance of labor is important for doulas to do.
Doulas should provide emotional and physical support to their clients. Clients will vary in their needs for these types of support. It is important that a doula be adaptable for different situations.