Doulas

What is a Doula?
 
The word, "doula," comes from the Greek word for the most important female slave or servant in an ancient Greek household, the woman who probably helped the lady of the house through her childbearing. The word has come to refer to "a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth." (Klaus, Kennell and Klaus, Mothering the Mother)
A doula...
  • Recognizes birth as a key life experience that the mother will remember all her life
  • Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
  • Assists the woman and her partner in preparing for and carrying out their plans for the birth
  • Stays by the side of the laboring woman throughout the entire labor
  • Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, an objective viewpoint and assistance to the woman in getting the information she needs to make good decisions
  • Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and clinical careproviders
  • Perceives her role as one who nutures and protects the woman's memory of her birth experience.
The acceptance of doulas in maternity care is growing rapidly with the recognition of their important contribution to the improved physical outcomes and emotional well-being of mothers and infants

Types of Doulas
 A regular birth doula can be certified or not, but most are trained in some capacity. There are many routes to becoming a doula, and they all have their merits.
  • certification - certification is the most common route to becoming a doula. It is a great option especially if there is not a lot of support from other doulas in your community. You will get around 3-4 months of book and academic training, 3-4 days of workshop/hands on/extensive training, and then continued support and review from an organization.
  • apprenticeship - This requires knowing a doula or midwife in your area who will take you on under their wing, impart their wisdom to you through hands-on application, on-the-job training, academic work, testing, and continuing education. Sometimes you can find this option through a doula cooperative in your area.
  •  lay-doula - This requires that you learn on the job, self study and train, and hold yourself accountable.
Articles
Certifying Organizations and Websites
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