Doula Resources
Labor support doulas
Labor support doulas are trained and experienced labor support persons who attend to the emotional and physical comfort needs of laboring women to smooth the labor process. They do not perform clinical tasks such as heart rate checks, or vaginal exams but rather use massage, aromatherapy, positioning suggestions, etc., to help labor progress as well as possible. A labor support doula joins a laboring woman either at her home or in hospital or birth center and remains with her until a few hours after the birth. In addition to emotional support, doulas work as advocates of their client’s wishes and may assist in communicating with medical staff to obtain information for the client to make informed decisions regarding medical procedures.
The doula is not meant to sideline or replace the father/significant other. Granted, their respective roles are similar, but the differences are crucial. The father or partner may be better able to provide continuous support but typically has little actual experience in dealing with the often-subtle forces of the labor process.Even more important, many fathers experience the birth as an emotional journey of their own and find it hard to be objective in such a situation. Studies have shown that fathers usually participate more actively during labor with the presence of a Doula than without one. A responsible Doula supports and encourages the father in his support style rather than replaces him.