The word doula comes from the Greek word meaning “woman of service.”  Throughout time, birth has been attended by sympathetic women, a midwife, friend, mother.  Once there was a doctor who was burned at the stake for dressing like a woman to observe a birth!  It was only recently (in the 1940s) that births were shifted from home to hospital, with doctors attending and husbands on the outside.  Though partners are now allowed in the birthing room (which is fantastic because it’s their birth too!) most hospitals do not have a good enough ratio of nurses or support staff to women.  Couples can be left alone which can be very scary for both parties!

Birth doulas help educate and support women and their partners throughout pregnancy, labor, and postpartum.  We tend to women physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally.  We also provide support for partners too!

Studies show

• Reduced the overall cesarean rate by 50%
• Reduced the length of labor by 25%
• Reduced pitocin use by 40%
• Reduced the use of pain medication by 30%
• Reduced forceps deliveries by 40%
• Reduced requests for epidural pain medication by 60%
• Reduced incidences of maternal fever
• Reduced the number of days newborns spent in NICU (neo-natal infant care unit)
• Reduced the amount of septic workups performed on newborns
• Resulted in higher rates of breastfeeding
• Resulted in more positive maternal assessments of maternal confidence
• Resulted in more positive maternal assessments of maternal and newborn health
• Resulted in decreased rates of postpartum depression

Kinds of doulas

CAPPA currently certifies a wide range of childbirth professionals and doulas including:

• Labor doula – aides the woman during late pregnancy, labor, and the initial postpartum.  We provide information and support, as well as help get breastfeeding off to a great start if the woman wishes to do so.
• Postpartum doula – helps in the transition into new babyhood!  Helps with meals, breastfeeding, other children, household tasks, and infant care.  They basically try and work themselves out of a job by trying to help you become the parents you were meant to be, which is different than a night nurse or nanny.
• Antepartum doula – CAPPA is currently the only organization who certifies for this position!  Antepartum doulas help women who have health problems, are on bedrest, and/or are considered high-risk.  They have extensive knowledge of high-risk situations.
• Childbirth educators – people who have extensive training in the field of childbirth and are trained and qualified to teach childbirth classes.
• Lactation educators – people who have training in the field of lactation and are qualified to give lactation support and classes.

Currently I am focused on being a labor doula and providing lactation support.  If you would like to find another type of childbirth professional, you can visit CAPPA or DONA or contact me for referrals of people I know personally.  I’ll help you get in touch with the right people!