Lark Doula Services

Doula [ˈduːlə] n(Medicine / Gynaecology & Obstetrics, midwifery) 1. Ancient Greek, meaning a women of service [from Greek doule female slave] 2. Modernly; meaning woman who is trained to provide support to women and their families during pregnancy, childbirth, and the period of time following the birth 

Just to make it a bit more clear, a doula is a non-medical assistant in childbirth. A doula is not the father but is usually a woman who is experienced in childbirth. The role of the doula is to provide the mother with physical and emotional assistance before, during, or after childbirth. Also known as a birth assistant, birth companion, childbirth assistant, or labor support professional.

You may now be asking yourself "Why hire a doula? My partner will be doing that role, and I don't want to upset him."

A doula as the definition describes above is to provide the mother with physical and emotional assistance before, during, or after childbirth, however, hiring a doula is also in your partners benefit. Your partner will have more energy to be there for you, your partner will not need to feel guilty or over whelmed when he just needs a moment for himself, for whatever reasons. We all need a breather at some time or another. A doula also helps in the following ways (statistics used are from: Mothering the Mother by Kennel, Kennel and Klaus:

* Recent studies have shown that in births where a doula was present, mothers and fathers coped with birth a lot better, and had more satisfying and pleasant birthing experiences. Bonding was encouraged faster between parents and the newborn, as well breastfeeding and overall support was more readily established.

• Reduction in the need for cesarean birth by 50%
• Length of labour reduced by 25%
• Oxytocin use reduced by 40%
• Use of narcotics reduced by 30%
• Forceps reduced by 30%
• Epidurals reduced by 60%
• Improved breastfeeding
• Increased time spent with baby
• Decreased postpartum depression

A postpartum doula may assist with newborn care and helps with the transition into becoming a family as well as the adjustment for siblings to help them understand the transition, and help them understand that they are still loved and cared for and in an even bigger family. Adding a new baby to a family with siblings can be a huge shock and adjustment.

(*Statistics From: "Mothering the Mother" by Kennel, Kennel and Klaus )