Doula Service Sunshine Coast
The word Doula (doo-lah) comes from Greek and means “mothering the mother” or “woman’s personal servant”. If we look back in ancient times, women with experience in birthing have always attended other women during their labour and births.
In our modern world though, a Doula refers to a woman who accompanies couples during pregnancy, labour/birth and early parenting. She has experience in birth work, not as a medical person but as a person who understands the process of birth both physically and emotionally. She is trained in supporting and empowering women and their partners during pregnancy, labour, birth and early parenting and she provides that much needed continuity of care and support.
A doula’s primary and very unique role is to increase the mother’s confidence and feeling of safety. By standing by the mother no-matter how the birth journey unfolds and which decision the birthing woman might make, she can significantly help reduce fear and tension and create a calmer and more settled environment.
Studies shows that women who brought along a doula, whom they had built a relationship with during pregnancy, and who stayed with the woman until a few hours after baby was born, as a group had:
• Less Cesarean births
• Less need for epidural or other painkillers
• Less need for having labour sped up with medication – syntocin (Pitocin)
• On average shorter labours
• Less need for forceps and vacuum extractions
• Reduced chances of health complications and hospitalisations of baby
• Reduced maternal bleeding following birth
• Increased chances of successful breastfeeding
• Less post-partum depression
• More satisfaction with their birth experience
“Did having a Doula enhance the experience for you in any way”?
“Yes! We both felt empowered and supported. It really felt like at any point during the labour and birth we had answers if we wanted them, and options. We felt comfortable at the hospital, something I don’t think would have been the case if we hadn’t had a doula. We knew Pernille had been there plenty of times and knew the nurses and carers it made things easier. Like we weren’t going through it alone.
It helped that when we ran out of things to help cope with the pain Pernille suggested other options – options within our plan – stuff we’d forgotten.
I was very keen for a drug free birth if possible. My baby was posterior and I can say for a fact that had Pernille not been there, helping me to stay mobile and suggesting positions for helping to turn the baby and helping to cope with the pain, I would have needed an epidural.
Also once we’d had our baby, Pernille was able to support my husband when he held our daughter for the first time while I was busy. My husband and I had some time to ourselves once it was all over to get refreshed since Pernille looked after our baby.”Rebecca, 1st time time
A doula:
• offers continuous support at the birth of your child.
• brings a skilled set of hands ‘holding the space’ for you at home and/or in hospital.
• offers nurturing and caring energy.
• believes in your capacity to give birth.
• has an excellent understanding of the normal birth process.
• can reduce the risk of unnecessary interventions.
• supports you in any decisions you make.
• does not try to influence you in any way.
• enhances the birthing woman’s own strength and creative capacity to give birth.
• is aware of her own capabilities and limitations.
At Yin Health, our doulas are fully qualified and registered with the Natural Birth Education & Research Centre Institute.
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