The Role of a Doula

TYPES OF DOULAS

100

HELPS WOMEN HAVE A SAFE, MEMORABLE AND EMPOWERING BIRTHING EXPERIENCE

WHAT IS A LABOR AND DELIVERY DOULA?

200

PROVIDES DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE ANSWERS, DISTRACTIONS AND OFFERS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FOR OLDER CHILD(REN) ONCE BABY IS BORN

WHAT IS A SIBLING DOULA?

300

SUPPORTS AND GUIDES FAMILIES WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE LOSS OF THEIR BABY

WHAT IS A BEREAVEMENT DOULA?

400

PROVIDES FAMILIES INFORMATION AND SUPPORT ON INFANT CARE, EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL RECOVERY FROM CHILDBIRTH AND COPING SKILLS FOR NEW PARENTS

WHAT IS A POSTPARTUM DOULA?

500

PROVIDES FOCUSED SUPPORT TO WOMEN UNDERGOING PREGNANCIES WHICH INVOLVE COMPLICATIONS TO THE MOTHER OR HER UNBORN BABY

WHAT IS AN ANTEPARTUM DOULA?

ANTEPARTUM

100

PRENATAL COMPLICATIONS, MEDICAL NECESSITY, PROLONGED BED REST, TEEN PREGNANCY 

WHAT ARE REASONS FOR AN ANTEPARTUM DOULA?

200

SQUATTING, PRENATAL YOGA, KEGELS, AND PELVIC ROCKING 

WHAT ARE SAFE EXERCISES DURING PREGNANCY?

300

SUPPORTING CLIENT AS PRIMARY DECISION MAKER, FOSTERING TRUST AND SELF-CONFIDENCE, AND FACILITATING EFFECTIVE PROVIDER/PATIENT COMMUNICATION

WHAT IS PROMOTING AUTONOMY?

400

COMMUNICATES MOTHER'S WISHES AND GOALS BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER LABOR AND DELIVERY

WHAT IS A BIRTH PLAN?

500

PROVIDING CULTRALLY COMPETENT CARE, EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT TO MOTHERS FROM ALL BACKGROUNDS

WHAT IS MULTICULTURAL SUPPORT?

LABOR AND DELIVERY

100

"CONTRACTION BEGINNING, GETTING STRONGER, NOW GETTING WEAKER, AND GONE"

WHAT ARE THINGS A DOULA MAY SAY DURING A CONTRACTION?

200

DECREASED USE OF EPIDURALS, SHORTER LABOR, INCREASED SELF-ESTEEM, DECREASED ANXIETY, POSITIVE BIRTHING EXPERIENCE

WHAT ARE BENEFITS OF A LABOR AND DELIVERY DOULA?

300

THE POWER OF TOUCH AND MASSAGE CAN HELP TO STIMULATE THIS NATURAL HORMONE PRODUCTION

WHAT IS OXYTOCIN?

400

MUSIC, MASSAGE, GUIDED IMAGERY AND CENTERED BREATHING

WHAT ARE DISTRACTION TECHNIQUES?

500

BREATHING TECHNIQUE USED TO FACILITATE LABOR, PROMOTE COMFORT AND COPE WITH PAIN 

WHAT IS THE LAMAZE PHILOSOPHY?

POSTPARTUM

100

RESTORATIVE REST, PROPER LATCHING TECHNIQUES, SITZ BATHS, BRIEF WALKS

WHAT IS PHYSICAL SUPPORT?

200

LIGHT HOUSEWORK, PREPARING MEALS, SIBLING AND NEWBORN CARE

WHAT ARE THINGS TO HELP PROMOTE MOTHER AND BABY BONDING?

300

ENCOURAGEMENT, COMPASSION, AND LISTENING TO CONCERNS TO PROMOTE A POSITIVE BIRTHING EXPERIENCE

WHAT IS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT?

400

SUCK, SOUND/SHUSH, SWADDLE, SWAY, SIDE/STOMACH

WHAT ARE THE 5 S's OF SOOTHING?

500

HELPS BUILD IMMUNITY, PROTECTS AGAINST ALLERGIES AND CERTAIN CHILDHOOD CANCERS

WHAT IS BREASTFEEDING?