Unit 1 what is a doula

What is a Doula

A non-medical train professional, who supports a birthing person during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and beyond

What is the essential role of a Doula?

The essential role of Adulis to provide the client with education, training and support

What does a Doula educate their client on?

Pregnancy, labor, and delivery interventions newborn care

What does a Doula train their client on?

Abdullah provides training on comfort measures and labor management

Support

The Doula gives the client continuous labor support

What is labor support?

The therapeutic presence and caring behavior of another person during labor

What are the four pillars of labor support?

Physical, emotional, informational, advocacy

Physical

The act of performing physical touch or actions for the purpose of supporting a birthing individual

Examples of physical

Massage, counter pressure, dimming lights, assisting with water therapy, assisting with temperature therapy, assisting with toileting, assisting with feeding

Emotional

Words or actions that provide genuine, encouragement, reassurance, and compassion

Examples of emotional support

Continuous presence, Reassurance encouragement, praise positive outlook, positive words, caring attitude, debriefing after birth

Information

Giving your client, data facts and other pertinent information for the purpose of support

Examples of information

Teaching different positions for labor and delivery, explaining all of the available options for delivery, decoding the medical terms used by hospital staff, explaining interventions and medications

advocacy

Supporting a birthing person in their right to make decisions about their body and Baby

Examples of Advocacy

Encouraging your client to ask questions, supporting their decisions in their right to change their mind, facilitating conversations between your client and the hospital staff, pointing out when a procedure is about to be performed

Doula do not

Perform clinical task, give medical advice, catch the baby, make decisions on your clients behalf

The Cochrane Review

In 2017 a cochrane review was published on the effects of continuous labor support for birthing individuals during childbirth. The review included the results of 26 trials that involved 15,000 people.

What did the Cochrane Review Show

Less likely to need pain medicine, less likely to need an interventions, less likely to have negative feelings about their birth experience, 25% decrease in C-section 35% with doula, 8% increase in spontaneous vaginal birth 15% with a doula

Doula versus RN

RN provide medical support, RNs have split priorities, RNs are only present for about 30% of a person’s labor. Only about 12% of the time is spent giving labor support.

Doula versus partner

Your partner may have limited knowledge about the birthing process, partners may not know how to comfort the birthing person

What do we believe cause the Doula to receive better results than any other individual providing support?

We believe Duas achieve better results because they provide continuous specialized support throughout labor and ways that other support People often cannot. Do us help buffer the stress of the hospital environment, provide comfort measures that reduce pain and anxiety, and create a sense of safety and reassurance for the birthing person. This support may increase oxytocin production reduce stress, hormones, strengthen contractions, improve pain, coping and boost confidence during labor. Unlike nurses or medical providers who have multiple responsibilities do less focus solely on the emotional physical and informational needs of the laboring person which may contribute to improved birth outcomes

What are the characteristics of an effective Doula?

Compassionate, informed, willingness to serve, respectful, supportive, Integral