Online Childbirth Education Class Four

A doula is a woman trained to provide families with help during the pregnancy, birth and postpartum period.

What does a doula do?

Doulas do not provide you with any clinical care, so they do not replace your doctor or midwife. Generally your relationship with your doula will begin during pregnancy. As you discuss the desires you have for your upcoming birth your doula will help you find ways to obtain your goals. This may be in the form of finding the appropriate childbirth class, learning techniques, writing a birth plan, or many other things.

Doulas are proficient in massage, positioning, comfort measures, relaxation and breathing. They will help you and your partner decide which position will help labor along or make labor more comfortable. Along the way she will make suggestions and reminders about simple things that are often forgotten, like going to the bathroom, or drinking fluids.

Your doula will help you remember what plans you had for labor and help you get the things that you wanted. She can also help you when changes need to be made or complications arise.

After your baby is born she can help you with breast feeding and postpartum issues. Some doulas even do postpartum home care, such as light housekeeping and helping with errands and older children. Though sometimes you will find a doula does either postpartum or birth work.