What is a Doula?
Women have been supporting women through pregnancy, birthing and postpartum for thousands of years. The word doula is an ancient Greek word which translates to “handmaiden” or “women servant”.
Historically doulas were midwives who attended women when they exclusively birthed at home however over the years the role of a doula has evolved into a more holistic, nurturing, and supportive role in which no medical care or advice is given.
A doula is a pregnancy, birth and postpartum support person who will guide, offer evidenced based information, and share wisdom with women and their partners. Doula’s do not perform medical procedures or give medical advice, they will hold space physically, energetically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.
“Evidence shows that having continuous support during labour from someone -- whether that person is a midwife, partner, friend or doula has many benefits for the mother and baby. However, with several birth outcomes, doulas have a stronger effect than other types of support persons (Hodnett et al. 2012).”
A doula can help create an atmosphere that prevents distractions and disturbances, and protects the birthing mama’s privacy, support birthing partners and other children. Doulas are employed by women and their families and therefore their sole purpose and responsibility is to the woman, not to obstetricians, doctors, midwives, or anyone else present.
Most importantly doulas offer a source of continuity of care where many modes of pregnancy and birth care do not. With continuous support women are less likely to require pain relief, and thus avoid unnecessary interventions such as augmentation of labour and continuous fetal monitoring.
According to research undertaken in the US, Klaus, Kennel and Klaus, authors of Mothering the Mother, “How a Doula Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier and Healthier Birth” have identified the benefits of having a doula at your birth:
​
-
50% reduction in caesarean rate
-
25% shorter labour
-
60% reduction in epidural requests
-
40% reduction in oxytocin use
-
30% reduction in analgesia use
-
40% reduction in forceps delivery
-
Improved breastfeeding
-
Decreased incidence of postpartum depression
-
Greater maternal satisfaction
-
Better mother-infant interaction
​
Intuition, personal experience and learned wisdom have me perpetually evolving as both a person and a birth keeper. The journey from maiden to mother is a transformative and a sacred rite of passage in which I am honoured to hold space for. I am enamoured by the mind body connection and it's pivotal role during pregnancy, labour and birth.
I am based in Southern Adelaide on the Fleurieu Peninsula. I look forward to connecting with you over a cup of something warm.
​
0400 661 483
Instagram: @fleurieubirth