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“If a Doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it” – John Rennel
What is a Doula?
The word Doula is a Greek Word meaning “in the service of women”
- The Doula is professionally trained in and believes in the birth process and a woman's ability to birth
- A Doula helps women with the pain of labour
- A Doula stays with the parents to be constantly, keeping the technology of birth away as the main focus
- Doula's are not there to take away the importance of the partner's role, a Doula is a support person to both parents and a member of the birthing team
- The Doula's role is a nurturing, encouraging, positive role and Doula's strive to keep labour and birth calm, positive and an awe-inspiring experience!
Does Labour Support really make a difference?
Klaus,Kennell and Klaus (1993) reported many benefits of having labour support:
- Results of 6 different studies showed that the presence of a doula reduces the overall Caesarean rate by 50%, the length of labour by 25%, Oxytocin use by 40% and requests for epidurals by 60%.
- Reduction in labour, due to fewer stress hormones being produced in the labouring woman's body and more upright, active postions being used.
- Postnatally, mothers showed more affectionate interaction with their baby, including more stroking, talking, smiling than the moms without doula's.
- The nurturing and empowerment that occurs through the labour support, makes the mom feel better about herself.
What do Doula's Do?
- Doula's help and encourage mom to deal with labour as best she can.
- The Doula aids mom in finding her inner strength to cope with labour. She uses techniques such as kind words, touch, massage, relaxation methods, active movement, praise and reassurance, water, aromatherapy etc etc etc!
- Doula's encourage, praise and comfort moms that labour is not something to fear, that it is pain with a purpose!
- Doula's can act as an advocate for the parents with the medical staff
- Doula's are trained to understand all aspects of labour and birth and can explain procedures to you clearly and at ease.
- Doula's encourage the fathers to support the moms and can act as a relief for the dads.
- Can assist with the birth plan, and help parents to make informed decisions
- Provide as much information as the parents require surrounding labour and birth
- Able to take picture's of the labour and birth
- Trained to care for the mother and child postnatally if required, as well as much assistance with initiating breastfeeding.
How much do Doula's Cost?
The standard fee for doula's is R1000. This includes one pre-natal visit and one post-natal visit, as well as the entire labour and birth support, and the doula's wealth of knowledge! Some doula's also offer pre/post natal massage at an additional cost, and postnatal home visits are usually in the region of R100 per visit.
** Please note this fee is just a guideline and may vary in your area **
For more info or questions, please contact Kerry Pienaar (Doula & Lactation Consultant)
021 785-3694 / 082 475 7776 E-mail: tums2tots@telkomsa.net
Bibliography: All About Doula's; Sandy White, IJCE Vol.13 No 2
