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What is a Labour or Birth Doula?
Mother Care started in 1997 providing only a Birth Doula
Service. We have grown a lot
in the last years and continue to support women and their families in the Camrose,
Edmonton, Vermillion and Lloydminster areas of Alberta, Canada. We strive to provide the best services available through your
choice of doula, both primary and backup. To find a doula in your area, please
check www.canadiandoulas.com or www.doulasearch.com.
A Labour or Birth Doula is a woman trained and experienced in childbirth who provides
continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a woman during
labor, birth and the immediate postpartum period.
"When labour started
I felt very well prepared. I had 'no surprises' and felt I was in control.
Connie made it easy for me to make the decisions required. I was also very glad
that she was there to take the burden off my husband." Cathy Gladwin
In Print: Information on Doula Support
Given the clear benefits and no known risks associated with intrapartum
support, every effort should be made to ensure that all laboring women receive
support, not only from those close to them but also from specially trained
caregivers. This support should include continuous presence, the provision of
hands-on comfort, and encouragement. Hodnett, E. D. "Support from
caregivers during childbirth." (Cochrane Review) in Cochrane Library,
Issue 2. Oxford Update Software, 1998. Updated Quarterly.
Given the clear benefits and no known risks
associated with intrapartum support, every effort should
be made to ensure that all labouring women receive support, not only from
those close to them but also from specially
trained care givers [doulas]. This support
should include continuous presence, the provision
of hands-on comfort, and encouragement. Society
of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada - Clinical Practice Guidelines,
1996
A doula provides support consisting of praise, reassurance, measures to
improve the comfort of the mother, physical contact such as rubbing the
mother's back and holding her hands, explanation of what is going on during
labor and delivery and a constant friendly presence. Such tasks can also be
fulfilled by a nurse or midwife, but they often need to perform
technical/medical procedures than can distract their attention from the
mother. Care in Normal Birth: a Practical Guide. Report of a Technical
Working Group. World Health Organization, 1996.
Facing unprecedented pressures to reduce expenses, many hospitals are
targeting the largest single budget item--labor costs? (An) unintended
consequence of nursing cutbacks may be an increased cesarean rate; the
inability of pared down nursing staff to provide continuous coverage to
laboring mothers (has been) shown to increase the chance of cesarean? Doulas
clearly improve clinical and service quality; they provide an absolutely safe
way to reduce cesareans and other invasive birthing interventions. Coming
to Term: Innovations in Safely Reducing Cesarean Rates. Medical Leadership
Council, Washington DC. 1996.
Professionals have paid much attention to innovative technology and the
many new options for monitoring and managing labor. While the technology is
important, it can become so prominent that clinicians ignore both the natural
aspects of labor and the non-technical needs of women in labor. . Changes that
support the patient in labor and reinforce the natural, physiologic process
?includes providing one-to-one psychological support for patients using
nursing staff or doulas. Reducing Cesarean Section Rates while Maintaining
Maternal and Infant Outcomes. Bruce L. Flamm et al. Institute for Healthcare
Improvement, Boston, 1997.
The continuous availability of a caregiver to provide psychological support
and comfort should be a key component of all intrapartum care programs, which
should be designed for the effective prevention, and treatment of dystocia
(non-progressive labor). Guidelines on Dystocia. Society of Obstetricians
and Gynaecologists of Canada, 1995.
It's natural for people to want support and companionship during any
stressful or challenging experience. [Often women] were less concerned about
whether having doulas shortened labors, and more interested in the added
confidence and comfort they felt because of the support they received. Pregnancy
and Birth: The Best Evidence. Joyce Barrett and Teresa Pitman. 1999.
Online Articles on Doula Support
| New Father Becomes Doula Promoter - Winnipeg
Free Press, April 28, 2004 |
| The
Doula's Role During L&D - RN Web, March 1, 2004 |
| How
to avoid a Caesarean: take along a female friend for the support the father
cannot provide - Independent News, September 24, 2003 |
| Dad 'not best
birthing partners' - BBC News, September 24, 2003 |
| Mothering
the Mom - Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Jan. 2, 2003 |
| Doulas
Play an Important Role in Childbirth - Reno Gazette-Journal, October 9, 2001 |
| Doulas
- Who Are They and How Might They Affect Obstetrical Anesthesia Practices?
- ASA, October 2000 |
| Doulas Can
Improve the Health of Both Mother and Newborn
- 2000 |
| Risk-Free
Option For Pain Relief During Childbirth - April 13, 2000 |
| Study
Shows Positive Impact - Inquirer, June 23, 1999 |
| Doulas Ease Patient
Labor - March 1998 |
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