serving the
North Dallas area
Amber
Bhatti CD(CBI)
What is a "Doula"?
(from
the DONA website)
The word, "doula," comes from the Greek word for the most important female
slave or servant in an ancient Greek household, the woman who probably helped
the lady of the house through her childbearing. The word has come to refer to "a
woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and
informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth."
(Klaus, Kennell and Klaus, Mothering the Mother)
- Recognizes birth as a key life experience that the mother will remember
all her life...
- Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman
in labor...
- Assists the woman and her partner in preparing for and carrying out
their plans for the birth...
- Stays by the side of the laboring woman throughout the entire labor...
- Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, an objective
viewpoint and assistance to the woman in getting the information she needs
to make good decisions...
- Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and
clinical care providers...
- Perceives her role as one who nurtures and protects the woman's memory
of her birth experience.
The acceptance of doulas in maternity care is growing rapidly with the
recognition of their important contribution to the improved physical outcomes
and emotional well-being of mothers and infants.
Benefits
of hiring a Doula:
- 50% reduction rate in cesarean sections
- 25% shorter labor
- 60% reduction in epidural requests
- 40% reduction in oxytocin use
- 30% reduction in analgesia use
- 40% reduction in forceps delivery
Research shows
that women who were supported reported:
- Labor and birth as less painful
- Feeling more in control of birth
- Less anxiety after birth
- Feelings of increased self-confidence
- A lower incidence of postpartum depression
- Increased incidence of breastfeeding at 6 weeks
- Improved relationships with their partners