What is a Doula and How Can They Help Me?

Presented by Amy MacAulay CD(DONA) and Kylie Field PCD(DONA)

June 2012

What is the NSDA?The NSDA is a Canadian non-profit association that supports the growth and education of the doula profession in Nova Scotia. We are dedicated to providing educational opportunities for doulas, as well as increasing awareness to the public and healthcare communities about the positive effects a doula brings to both the childbirth and postpartum experience. We strive to make the presence of a doula during labour, birth and the postpartum period, a common occurrence in Nova Scotia.

Birth Doulas A doula (pronounced doo-la) is a trained, experienced childbirth attendant who provides information and continuous non-medical support, including physical and emotional comfort measures, to a mother or couple before,

during and immediately after birth.

Prenatal Education

Support during entire labour and immediate postpartum period

Postpartum Support

Birth Doulas: Prenatal Education• Information is empowering - anxiety about birth is

often based on the unknown• Helps you to learn about all of your options• Gives you time to practice, get clear on your

intentions and envision yourself succeeding• Provides you with a reliable source for

information and resources

Birth Doulas: Support during entire labour and immediate postpartum period

• Someone knowledgeable, with whom you have built a trusting relationship, supporting your intentions for your

birth experience• Someone who will be your advocate and help you navigate

your way through the medical system• Someone familiar who will be by your side for your entire

labour and delivery• Someone who is trained in various comfort measures

(emotional and physical) and is able to help find what works best for you as your progress through labour

Benefits of continuous support as outlined by The Cochrane Review:

Less likely to: have an epidural or other "regional" analgesia

use any type of pain medication (including narcotics) give birth by cesarean section

give birth with vacuum extraction or forceps be dissatisfied with or give a negative rating to their

childbirth experience (Hodnett and colleagues 2004).

Birth Doulas: Postpartum Support

• Continuity of care• Continued comfort and support during 3rd Stage

and also if there is any suturing required after delivery

• Trained professional to support your efforts with breastfeeding

Postpartum Doulas

A postpartum doula is a trained, experienced professional who provides non-medical emotional, informational and practical support to a mother or

couple during the postpartum period.

Postpartum Doulas often have expertise in breastfeeding support.

Role of a Postpartum Doula• Provides non-judgmental emotional and practical support

• Provides breastfeeding support• Provides evidenced-based information on newborn care

• Is a source for information on Community Resources• Provides household organization and light errands (light

cooking, laundry etc.)• Helps ensure a smooth transition with the new addition to

your family

Families who hire Postpartum Doulas: Feel more secure and cared for

Have greater success with breastfeeding

Have greater self-confidence confident parents = confident kids Have less postpartum depression

ResourcesPrint:Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn, Penny Simkin, Janet Whalley, Ann KepplerThe Birth Partner, Penny SimkinThe Baby Book, Dr. William Sears, Martha SearsHRM Birth, Prenatal & Postnatal Family Resource GuideBreastfeeding Basics, Public Health Servies. NS Health Promotion.Breastfeeding Made Simple, Kathleen Kendall Tackett, Nancy Mohrbacher.Dr. Jack Newman’s Guide to Breastfeeding, Dr. Jack Newman, Teresa Pitman

Online:www.novascotiadoulas.cawww.nbci.cawww.dona.orgwww.cappacanada.ca www.askdrsears.comwww.lamaze.orgwww.childbirthconnection.org