Everything you should know about a doula
A doula is a non-medical health professional trained to support and guide parents through the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual experience of pregnancy, birth and postpartum.
Consistent guidance during pregnancy is key for a serene, informed, and calm pregnancy. Someone that walks by your side no matter how you decide to go through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
Different types of Doulas
There are different types of doulas and based on your situation you can choose a doula for a specific fase or choose a doula that offers a complete service from pregnancy till postpartum.
- doula’s supporting you during pregnancy
- doula’s supporting you during labor and birth
- doula’s supporting you during postpartum
A doula during pregnancy
A doula never judges you or your choices and will always provide the information you are searching for. There is so much information on the net available and many mothers get lost in all the duality and mixed messages that pull them away from what can be an amazing life changing experience. A doula guides you to information sourses inline with how you want to go about pregnancy, birth and postpartum so that you feel comfortable making an informed decision that is right for you and your baby. A Doula also provides continuous care and attention that every woman and couple needs in a phase that is life-changing. It’s the person that you can talk openly and freely with about your fears, joys, wishes for the birth, etc.
A doula during labor and birth
During labor she holds your hand, massages your back and encourages you throughout. It’s your supports person that stays with you the whole time. From the early signs of labor until your baby is born. She never leaves your side and she doesn’t change her shift halfway through labor. She supports your partner throughout the process so that he feels as involved as possible and as important as he should. A Doula can never replace a partner.
She will never take the role of a midwife or gynecologist because she is not qualified for that. But she will be there in case your birth wishes or birth plan needs to be reinforced or explained.
A doula during postpartum (a.k.a. postpartum doula)
During your postpartum, she counts for the old village nurturing you with warm foods, vaginal steaming, belly binding, postpartum massage and teaching you the ropes of how to take care of a new-born, until you feel comfortable and strong enough to continue on your own.
