What is a Doula?

The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period. This support is also extended to the mother, father, and their family. Doulas are trained and experienced in the birth process. They understand what is normal for the labor and birth process. And they know how to keep labor progressing while keeping the mother comfortable.

 Everyone can benefit from a Doula's support: first-time parents; as well as those parents who have already been through the birth process. Both women who choose to have a natural birth and those who elect to use medication can benefit from a Doula's support.

 A Doula is able to remind you about simple things that are often forgotten-like going to the bathroom, drinking fluids, and eating. Doula services are perfect for any setting: hospital, birth center, or home births.

 A Doula can inform you on medication options as well as alternatives to medications. Knowing your options ahead of time will make pain management decisions easier during labor. The decision is a personal one that only the mother can make. Whatever choice you make, your Doula will support you and your choices. With proper knowledge, birth can be viewed as a very natural and safe process, not as a medical emergency. A woman's body intuitively knows how to give birth. Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labor is shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily.

A Birth Doula

• Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life
• Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
• Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth
• Stays with the woman throughout the labor
• Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decision
• Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers
• Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience
• Allows the woman's partner to participate at his/her comfort level

Benefits of Having a Doula Support your Birth

Studies done on the effects of continuous labor support show that women are :

• 60% less likely to have an epidural or other analgesia 
• 30% less likely to use any type of pain medicine 
• 40% less likely to need to be induced 
• 50% less likely to give birth using cesarean section 
• 40% less likely to give birth using vacuum extraction or forceps 
• 25% less likely to have a lengthy labor

Long-term Benefits Include:

• A greater satisfaction with the birth experience
• Fewer incidences of postpartum depression
• Greater breastfeeding success
• Increased bonding between mother & baby
  
  

Do Father's Feel Left Out?  
No! Doulas do not replace the father's role in any way. A Doula is there to relieve back pain and observe tension in other areas of her body. The father is there face-to-face, holding hands, and giving emotional support to his wife. Doulas can take the pressure off of the fathers which allows them to do what they do best- to love their partner.

Some fathers have a hard time remembering what was taught in class, and often were not prepared to see what labor and birth was really like. A study performed by S.M Copstick, et al, published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research reported that "women were unlikely to use techniques learned in childbirth classes beyond early labor unless their partners were trained & willing to help coach them."  Doulas can remind fathers how to help the mother & be there for her. 

Birth can be a scary thing for first time fathers. Doulas can also reassure the father that everything is happening as it should. In fact, many fathers have said that having a doula present  made them feel less anxious and were better able to enjoy the birth. 


How Can a Doula Help a Woman Who Wants to Use Pain Medication?
There are many benefits of having a Doula's support if you have choosen to receive an epidural or other medication.

I offer continuous emotional, physical and informational support. With a Nurse's heavy patient load, they just don't have the time to pamper every mother like they deserve. You would be lucky to see your nurse more than 20 minutes every hour.

I would be your constant support in case your partner needs to run to the bathroom, get something to eat, or just needs to get a breath of fresh air.

I can help turn a woman every 20 minutes to her other side if she has received an epidural. I can also massage her legs to increase the blood flow & circulation. And even though her bottom half of her body is relaxed, the arms, hand and shoulders may be tense and could benefit from massage.

Event hough the pain is diminished or alleviated, a woman may still need  reassurance that everything is all right and happening as it should. And for lengthy labors, I can offer the encouragement that is needed to continue until the end.


Will Insurance pay for Doula or Massage Services?
As more women are choosing doulas as part of the pregnancy and birth team, and more research is being done proving the benefits of Doula care, more insurance companies are covering the cost of Doula service. Many insurance providers also cover the cost of childbirth classes, whether those classes are private or in-hospital. However, insurance companies vary on if and/or how much of a Doula's services or massage therapy that they will pay for.  Many times, a "prescription for Doula Care or Prenatal Massage Therapy" can influence the company to cover my services. All receipts you need for filing for insurance reimbursement will gladly be provided. 

DONA International was pleased to announce that a new code for doulas in the United States has been approved and defined by the National Uniform Claim Committee. Pat Burrell, a birth doula and registered nurse from South Carolina, was successful in lobbying for the assignment of the code, which will allow doulas to be assigned provider numbers to submit claims to both Medicaid and third-party payers for their services.

"While this does not guarantee third-party reimbursement, it is an enormous step forward in our mission to ensure a doula for every woman who wants one" says Debbie Young, President of DONA International. "Individual doulas will have to apply for a provider number and comply with other requirements that have yet to be determined. Regardless, we are excited to announce Ms. Burrell's success with this initiative, which will benefit thousands of women and families for years to come. This is an exciting day in childbirth in the United States."