What is a Doula?
I like to define the Labor Doula as the constant presence during labor that is there only focused on helping you and your partner get through labor and birth; emotionally, as well as physically.
Doulas bring physical comfort, verbal encouragement and aid with information and decision making as the labor process unfolds. Each labor is unique, so one benefit of having a labor doula is that you don't have to feel the pressure of having thought through every possible birth situation. When things ebb and flow your Doula helps you navigate each step of the way with evidenced-based information and support. Doulas work alongside your medical team to help you make the best choices for you and your baby.
A Postpartum Doula helps a new family in the first days and weeks after bringing home a new baby by provide evidence-based information on pertinent parts of postpartum and newborn care. These include, but are not limited to, infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from birth, mother-baby bonding, infant soothing, and basic newborn care.
Imagine having someone reassuring you that how you are caring for yourself and your baby is perfect and helpful while also teaching you new skills when you don't feel like you know what you're doing. Then that same person can do a load of laundry while you and baby sleep so you can nap knowing that your practical need is also being met. That is a little glimpse of what a Postpartum Doula can bring to your family.
"The transition into new parenthood can be vulnerable, and postpartum doulas are experts in emotional support, active listening and encouraging new moms and dads to follow their own hearts. Postpartum doulas are trained to understand what new babies – and new mothers – truly need. The doula helps with soothing techniques, offers breastfeeding or bottle feeding support, and explains normal newborn behavior." DONA International