What does a doula do for the mother?

Doulas may be able to help in a variety of different ways, both inside of labor and delivery and beyond. During labor and birthing, a doula can help with pain management using natural techniques, such as gentle touching and massaging, relieving counter-pressure, and breathing coaching. 

A doula can also offer emotional support for the mother during labor and delivery. Childbirth can be an exciting but very frightening event. Having a doula there as a cheerleader and source of strength can help expectant mothers through the especially trying stages of transition and pushing, helping them get to that final moment when they can at last hold their newborn infant.

Even after the baby has arrived, there are still other ways that doulas can assist the new mother. It is not uncommon for women to have questions regarding the postpartum experience, and an experienced doula can help to answer those concerns. Doulas can also help a new mother and her baby through breastfeeding concerns by teaching helpful techniques such as the “flipple,” as well as offering insights into the typical speed bumps related to breastfeeding, as well as their likely solutions.

What else does a doula do?

Besides looking after the physical and emotional comfort of the mother, a doula can also offer support to other members of the family. It isn’t just mothers who become anxious during childbirth, and a skillful doula can be a source of strength and support for the father of the baby or the mother’s partner.

Uses for a doula still extend even further. A doula can act as an intermediary between the hospital staff and the new mother. Since a doula is a professional childbirth supporter, he or she is comfortable working in the delivery-room environment. She or he knows which hospital staff to talk to regarding different common delivery-room needs. The doula can notify nurses and doctors of the wishes of the family, and act as a liaison between the two different parties. That way the new parents can focus on this special, once-in-a-lifetime moment with their new family member, while the doula takes care of those small background concerns.

The doula can also act as an advocate for the family. Doulas may meet with an expectant mother several times before labor begins in order to plan the mother’s ideal birthing experience. Once that plan has been made, a doula can act as an advocate for the mother in the birthing room, helping to ensure that the birthing experience the mother had dreamed of becomes a reality.

Consider a doula in Queen Creek

Sometimes, even after seeing the benefits offered by a doula, expectant mothers are tempted to assume that a husband or other birthing partner will be able to fill the same role as a doula. This certainly could happen, but often that thinking is a bit optimistic, especially for first-time mothers and their partners. A partner can easily become overwhelmed by the powerful emotions and stress of the situation, whereas a doula can sail through the childbirth scene smoothly.

Another reason to consider getting a doula is for the health benefits. While it can’t be said that the presence of a doula guarantees a safer and healthier birth, it can be said that there is a strong correlation. Those who go through the birthing with a doula show a decreased need for pain medication during labor and delivery. Furthermore, those who use a doula are less likely to require a C-section, perform childbirth more quickly, and show a higher percentage of positive experiences overall with childbirth. It is certainly worth checking to see if a doula may be covered by your insurance plan. If one is not, the benefits may still justify paying for the support of a doula, so that you can have the birthing experience you’re wishing for.