A doula is a knowledgeable, caring woman who supports a mother-to-be and her partner through labor. In a hospital, nurses can be assigned to several laboring mothers at once. Over the course of your labor, you may have several shifts of different nurses. The doctor is typically present for only the final moments of labor. A doula stays with the mother throughout the labor. She arrives when the couple is ready for her, either at their home or at the hospital, and remains by the mother's side through the entire labor and afterwards to instruct her on breastfeeding.
A doula is trained to understand and explain the various procedures and interventions medical staff may propose. She does not make decisions for you or provide medical assistance. She is there to support the birthing couple in having as comfortable a birth as possible.
Having the knowledgeable and constant comforting presence of a doula has a reassuring and calming effect that studies show lessens the duration of labor and the need for medical interventions. Going into birth and not knowing what to expect can be frightening. Even a couple who wishes that their doula remain in the background as much as possible will find great comfort in having a knowledgeable, caring person devoted to helping whenever needed throughout the entire birth.
