What does a doula do?
A doula does what you want her to do. In fact, the word “doula” is derived from a Greek word meaning “female servant”. She is very versatile in the tasks she performs for her clients because every expectant mother, family and birth she attends to will be different. Also, doulas vary in their educational backgrounds, interests, skills, personalities and experience. That being said, a birth doula is someone who:
• Physically supports women and their families during labour
• Provides emotional support and reassurance
• Provides information to clients during pregnancy, labour and postpartum
The support that women receive when they hire a doula is continuous. There are numerous health benefits to continuous support during pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period. These benefits are described in the section below: The Impact of A Doula’s Presence (COMING SOON!!). For more information about how to maximize your chances of experiencing the benefits of doula care, I have written a “user manual” for your birth doula. You can access the manual by visiting my blog.