Victoria’s Read

A doula is an experienced, non-medical assistant who provides physical, emotional and informed choice support in prenatal care, during childbirth and during the postpartum period. In some cases, doula care can last several months or even to a year post partum - especially in cases when mothers are suffering from post partum depression, children with special needs require longer care or there are multiple infants.

TYPES OF DOULAS
Labor/birth support doulas are trained and experienced labor support persons who attend to the emotional and physical comfort needs of laboring women to smooth the labor process. They do not perform clinical tasks but rather use massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, positioning suggestions, etc., to help labor progress as well as possible.

The terms of a labor/birth doula’s responsibilities are decided between the doula and the family. In addition to emotional, physical and informational support, doulas work as advocates of their client’s wishes and may also assist in communicating with medical staff to obtain information for the client to make informed decisions regarding medical procedures.

BENEFITS
Studies have found that doulas offer numerous benefits both to the mother and child. Women supported by a doula have a reduction in the duration of labor, less use of pain relief medications, lower rates of operative vaginal delivery and in many studies a reduction in caesarian deliveries. Newborns in births supported by doulas have lower rates of fetal distress and fewer are admitted to neonatal intensive care units. In addition, one study found that 6 weeks after delivery, a greater proportion of doula-supported women, compared to a control group, were breastfeeding and these women reported greater self-esteem, less depression and a higher regard for their babies and their ability to care for them.

www.canadiandoulas.com

Canadian Doula Association™
Toll Free:
1-877-336-0333
4 Lamplight Bay,
Spruce Grove, AB
T7X 4N2