In May, Doulas of North America (DONA), an international non-profit
organization, will sponsor the third International Doula Month with
celebrations and activities for parents and maternity care providers in
communities all over North America.
The non-medical care doulas provide has been recognized by professional
organizations and healthcare policy makers as an important factor in the
improvement of birth outcomes for mothers and babies. Doulas provide the
benefit of high-touch care in an increasingly high-tech birth environment.
A doula understands the emotions and physiology of normal birth and is
trained to assist with relaxation, pain coping techniques, effective
positions and movements to help labor progress. She can facilitate
communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her medical
caregivers. Doulas support women through medicated and unmedicated labors,
and through vaginal and cesarean births.
A doula does not replace the father or partner, but helps him participate
at his own comfort level. Family members often feel more relaxed knowing
they can rely on a doula's familiarity with unpredictable labor events and
the medical environment. A doula never leaves a woman alone, no matter how
long the journey to birth may take. Many women choose to have an
independent doula; some women give birth at a hospital or birth center that
provides doula care as part of their maternity services.
Numerous scientific studies have found that women who receive continuous
doula care in childbirth have shorter labors, fewer complications, and
healthier babies. Doula-assisted women are less likely to need oxytocin to
speed up labor, pain medications, forceps or vacuum-assisted deliveries and
cesarean births.
The benefits of doula care may go far beyond the birthing room. There is
some evidence that having a doula facilitates mother-infant attachment,
encourages breastfeeding and reduces the likelihood of postpartum
depression. Doula care also seems to be a particularly beneficial form of
prenatal intervention for at-risk expectant mothers, such as teenagers,
economically disadvantaged families, and incarcerated women.
DONA will be celebrating in May with mothers and their families. DONA
members have planned free workshops, family picnics, film showings, book
donations to libraries, exhibits at baby fairs and gift baskets for
maternity caregivers. To find out about local doula activities, locate
doula services, or learn more about becoming a DONA-trained doula visit the
DONA web site, www.dona.org. You may also call DONA at (801) 756-7331,
e-mail doula@dona.org, or write to DONA at 13513 N. Grove Dr., Alpine, Utah
84004.
Reprinted from Midwifery Today E-News (Vol 2 Issue 19 May 12, 2000)
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