How a Doula Helps Labor

The types of doulas are as varied as the types of women who are going to labor. Some doulas have highly developed clinical skills, allowing them to do cervical exams and diagnose problems during labor. Other doulas have trained themselves to be constant companions, never leaving the mother's side and never tiring of giving positive feedback. There are doulas who are trained in Lamaze, Bradley or Hypnobirthing. There are doulas who will speak to the medical staff for you, and there are doulas who will not speak to the medical staff for you.

Regardless of the way she practices, there are some things that all doulas do. These skills and techniques are what make a doula so valuable during labor.

Resource for Comfort Measures

Having a doula is like having your very own talking labor guide. Doulas not only know what helps during labor, they also know when it helps and how to do it. Your doula can either perform these comfort measures herself, or help your family or friends to support you with comfort measures. Your labor partners will feel more confident knowing that they are doing the right thing.

Constant Encourager

A doula not only encourages the mother to keep going, but she encourages the labor support to keep going as well. The process of labor can be long, and it gets hardest just before it is over. A doula can keep you and your coach focused during the most intense part of labor, helping you to manage any discomfort or pain.

Helps Explain Options

A doula is also a source of information about ways to handle your labor. Medical attendants don't always have time to get into all the options available, and rarely give all the risks and benefits for the options they do give. A doula can help you understand what options are available, and what each options consists of. This can help you make better informed decisions.

You May Also Be Interested In: Learn what normal labor is like. Practice your new labor skills with virtual labor. The Natural Childbirth Directory can help you find a doula in your area. The Coach's Notebook helps you learn tools and techniques to manage labor. Finding out how a homebirth is different.

© Copyright 2000-2008 Jennifer VanderLaan and Birthing Naturally

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