What can a Doula Provide me in Labour?
Labour Support
Labour Support
A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational and advocay support to a person before, during, and just after childbirth. The doula's role is to help the person giving birth have a more positive, satisfying, and memorable experience as well as their partner.
During labor, a doula can provide non-medical support such as massage, guided relaxation techniques, labour positions, counterpressure, acupressure and encouragement. They can also help the birthing person communicate their needs and preferences to the medical staff and support them in advocating for their rights and choices.
After the birth, a doula can provide postpartum support such as breastfeeding assistance, newborn care education, birth healing advice and emotional and practical support for the new family.
The services of a doula are needed because childbirth can be a physically and emotionally intense experience. Having a doula present can help reduce stress and anxiety, and may also lead to shorter labor, fewer complications, and a greater sense of control and satisfaction with the birthing experience.
A Doula Provides invaluable support:
During labour, a doula may perform a variety of tasks to provide physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother. Here are some specific tasks that a doula may perform during your labour:
Help with Positioning: I can help you find comfortable positions during your labour, which may include sitting, standing, walking, specific exercises, stretches, myofacial releases, pelvic level solution positions, or using a birthing ball. I may also suggest changes in position to help with pain management and labour progression based on where the baby is in the pelvis.
Assist with Relaxation and Breathing Techniques: I will help you with relaxation and breathing techniques, which can be helpful for managing pain and anxiety during your labour.
Provide Massage and Other Comfort Measures: I will also use massage techniques, counter pressure, TENS machines, gate theory pain techniques, and other comfort measures to help relieve your pain and discomfort during labour.
Provide Advocacy: I will advocate for your wishes and help ensure that your birth plan is respected.
Offer Emotional Support: I will provide continuous emotional support, offering words of encouragement, reassurance, and comfort throughout your labour.
Assist with understanding Medical Procedures being offered: A doula can assist with understanding why medical procedures are being offered (such as continuous monitoring of the fetal heart rate) and can help the family ask the appropriate questions such as what are the benefits, the risks and alternatives to these medical procedures.
Provide Information and Guidance: I will answer questions and provide information about what to expect during labour, as well as provide guidance on coping strategies and pain management techniques.
Facilitate Communication: I will help facilitate communication between you, your partner, and the medical staff, helping to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that your wishes are being respected.
