Mother Nurture

Birth Services

Trust yourself.  Trust your baby.  Trust birth.

Greeley, CO 80634
ph: 970.405.2626

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What is a birth doula?


A birth doula is a person trained and experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth.

2. Where does the word “doula” come from?
 

The word “doula” comes from ancient Greek, meaning “Woman’s servant.” Throughout history and in much of the world today, a cadre of women support a woman through labor and birth, giving back rubs and providing continuous emotional support. Like their historical counterparts, DONA International birth doulas know how to help a woman in labor feel better. However, today’s doulas are much more diverse than their predecessors. DONA International membership includes men and women from a wide range of ages and cultural backgrounds.

3. What effects does the presence of a doula have on birth outcomes?

 

Numerous clinical studies have found that a doula’s presence at birth:

  • Tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications
  • Reduces negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience
  • Reduces the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction
  • Reduces the requests for pain medication and epidurals, as well as the incidence of cesareans 

4. What effects does the presence of a doula have on the mother?


When a doula is present during and after childbirth, women report greater satisfaction with their birth experience, bond easier with their babies, have fewer cesareans and requests for medical intervention, and less postpartum depression.

5. What effects do the presence of doulas have on babies?


Studies have shown that babies born with doulas present breastfeed more easily and tend to  have shorter hospital stays with fewer admissions to special care nurseries.



6. How do doulas practice?


Doulas practice in three ways: privately hired directly by clients, as hospital employees, and as volunteers in community or hospital programs.

7. Does a doula replace nursing staff?


No. Doulas do not replace nurses or other medical staff. Doulas do not perform clinical or medical tasks such as taking blood pressure or temperature, monitoring fetal heart rate, doing vaginal examinations or providing postpartum clinical care. They are there to comfort and support the mother and to enhance communication between the mother and medical professionals.

8. Does a doula make decisions on my behalf?


A doula does not make decisions for clients or intervene in their clinical care. She provides informational and emotional support, while respecting a woman’s decisions.

9. Will a doula make my partner feel unnecessary?


No, a doula is supportive to both the mother and her partner, and plays a crucial role in helping a partner become involved in the birth to the extent he/she feels comfortable.

 

Much of this content is borrowed from the DONA International website.

 

Doulas Make A Difference! 

 

 

 

 

 

Still have questions?

Please contact me anytime!

I look forward to hearing from you.

 

 

 

 

Copyright 2009 Mother Nurture Birth Services. All rights reserved.

Web Hosting by Yahoo!

Greeley, CO 80634
ph: 970.405.2626