What is a doula?

1. What is a doula?

2. What is a doula? • doula – a professional labor or postpartum support person who provides emotional support and information during and after labor. A doula does not deliver the baby or have a clinical role at the birth.

3. "If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it.“ - John H. Kennell, MD

4. A Birth Doula… • Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life • Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor • Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth • Stays with the woman throughout the labor • Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decision • Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers • Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience • Allows the woman's partner to participate at his/her comfort level • A birth doula certified by DONA International is designated by the initials CD(DONA).

5. A Postpartum Doula… • Research evidence shows that the quality services of a postpartum doula can ease the transition that comes with the addition of a baby to a family, improve parental satisfaction and reduce the risk of mood disorders. • A Postpartum Doula • Offers education, companionship and nonjudgmental support during the postpartum fourth trimester • Assists with newborn care, family adjustment, meal preparation and light household tidying • Offers evidence-based information on infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from birth, infant soothing and coping skills for new parents and makes appropriate referrals when necessary • A postpartum doula certified by DONA International is designated by the initials PCD(DONA).

6. Numerous clinical studies have found that a doula’s presence at birth: • tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications • reduces negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience • reduces the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction and cesareans • reduces the mother’s request for pain medication and/or epidurals

7. Research shows parents who receive support during birth: • Feel more secure and cared for • Are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics • Have greater success with breastfeeding • Have greater self-confidence • Have less postpartum depression • Have lower incidence of abuse

8. Continuous Labor Support • 71% reduction in oxytocin augmentation • 57% reduction in use of forceps • 51% reduction in cesarean births • Reduction in length of labor by an average of 98 minutes • 35% reduction in analgesia use Source: The Doula Book, 2002, Klaus, Kennell, Klaus

9. Satisfaction with Partners

10. Postpartum Findings • Doula supported mothers: • Spent less time away from their babies • Breastfeed longer • Found their babies more beautiful, smarter, easier to manage. • Interacted more positively with their babies.

11. If you are interested in having a birth or postpartum doula please call: Phyllis R. D'Agostino, M.Ed., Ed.S. • Birth and Postpartum Certified Doula (DONA) • North Carolina Credentialed Parent Educator I (NCPEN) • Lamaze Childbirth Educator Certification  (LCCE) • Certified H.U.G. Teacher • Telephone:  336-391-0129 • Email: familycaredoula@gmail.com

12. Local doula association:

13. What is a doula? • Doula is an ancient Greek word meaning “a woman’s servant.” • A birth doula provides emotional, informational and physical support during pregnancy, labor, and birth. • A postpartum doula helps care for the mother and the newborn in the weeks after birth. How do I find a doula? • The Piedmont Area Doula Association would like to help you find the right doula for you. Please visit www.padanc.org, email padanc@triad.rr.com or call (336) 397-1008.

14. 10 reasons to consider a doula • Your birth experience matters. The way that you are supported, cared for and informed throughout the birth will remain with you through life. • Doulas are team players. Although they seek to affirm all other caregivers, a doula is uniquely trained to handle the non-medical aspects of birth. • Birth holds many unknowns. A doula will help give you confidence to anticipate your birth as a natural, positive experience. • Doulas are often instrumental in helping Dad or another birth partner assist you. Dad will probably enjoy the experience more too! • Doula-assisted births statistically show a lower incidence of medical interventions of all kinds.* • Doula-assisted births statistically show a higher level of maternal satisfaction, mother-infant bonding and breastfeeding success.* • Doula-assisted births statistically produce a greater sense of accomplishment and self-esteem in the birthing mother, as well as less postpartum depression.* • A doula will make herself available to get to know you and your birth preferences, and to help you prepare accordingly. • A doula will meet you where you are, help you see where you will be, and walk with you until you have arrived. • Having a doula has no known risks. *for current research findings, visit the website for DONA International: www.dona.org