World Doula Week!

March 22-28

The purpose of World Doula Week is to enable doulas all over the world to improve the physiological, social, emotional, and psychological health of women, newborns and families. This work occurs during the birth and postpartum period, and supportive of the breastfeeding relationship. If you want to learn more about the events that take place all over the world at this time period illustrating the benefits of the attendance of doulas in birth and the postpartum period.

These benefits include:

* Reduces the rate of c-sections

* May shorten the length of labor

* Reduces epidural and analgesic requests

* Increased breastfeeding initiation rates and longer term continuation

* Increases mother’s satisfaction of birth experience, and her emotional satisfaction in the birth and postpartum period.

* Can reduce the incidence of postpartum mood disorders

* Increases new parents’ confidence in the care of their newborn

How Does a Doula Serve a Family?

The doula serves as an advocate, labor coach, and an informative resource for the mother and her partner the added comfort of additional support all through the entire labor. Certainly, having loved ones such as a spouse with the mother does provide some added comfort and support. However, as the published literature continues to show, it is the support of a trained and experienced woman that results in the greatest benefits. It is important for the doula to offer up to date current resources and information to the parents. Birth Arts Doulas can do this.

The doula also acts as a go between for mother and care staff, spouse or partner and family and visitors.

What Does a Doula Do?

The following is a basic description of what you might expect from a Birth Arts certified labor doula. Typically, doulas meet with the parents in the second or third trimester of the pregnancy to get acquainted and to learn about prior birth experiences and the history of this pregnancy. She may help you develop a birth plan, teach relaxation, visualization, and breathing skills useful for labor. Most importantly, the doula will provide comfort, support, and information about birth options.

A doula provides

Information to the parents that is current and evidence based.

Uninterrupted labor support for the mother during labor.

Emotional, physical and personal support.

Helps the mother to relax and rest in labor

Encourage proper nutrition and work with her to attain proper nutrition

Being a presence in the environment that assists the woman feels secure and confident.

Providing her with and information on birth options.

“You need chaos in your soul to give birth to a dancing star.”

– Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (1844-1900)

To learn more about being a doula visit- Birth Arts International.