WHY A DOULA?
SUGGEST
GUIDE
CONFIRM
email@dhdhd
email@dhdhd
A doula is s woman with experience of births and professionally trained to give support and information to the birthing person and their close ones during pregnancy, birth and the first time post partum. That of women with experience of childbirth who help others give birth is an extremely old tradition, in different epochs and cultures.
If there is a partner, the doula is there for them too, to optimise support around the birth-giver and allow the partner to also feel secure and participative.
I believe that women's bodies, with the right conditions and in their own terms, are created to give birth in a safe way. My job as doula is to help creating these conditions, in cooperation with the midwives, nurses and possible partner, through continuous support before, during and after birth.
I focus on psychological and emotional support, as well as more physical work. But I don't take any medical responsibilities and I don't give any medical advice. Moreover as a doula I have the duty of professional secrecy.
​
WHAT DOES SCIENCE SAY?
Your birth matters.
A positive birth experience is not just beneficial in itself, it even influences positively the attachment, the mother's mental health and the relation between the parents. The safety that the mother feels in the process has great importance for how she approaches motherhood. The idea that when a woman gives birth to a baby she also gives birth to herself as a mother is meaningful to me.
​
What is called the doula effect has been measured in several international scientific studies (more info here). The studies reinforce the importance of doula support and aim to scientifically explain why emotional and caring support during childbirth has positive effects on the birthing process. There is a growing understanding of how touch and mental support actively influence labor by stimulating oxytocin.
For example the incidence of cesareans, instrumental births and very long labours decreases, as well as the amount of babies with low Apgar score. Furthermore parents feel more involved and satisfied with their experience.
​
​