A birth doula supports pregnant and labouring women as well as their partners with the aim of improving and enhancing the birthing experience. A doula is not clinically trained and as such performs no clinical tasks such as checking blood pressure or administering pain relief. Rather, a doula uses tools such as visualisation, massage, relaxation and positioning suggestions to increase the labouring woman's comfort. A doula can also answer questions and discuss any concerns during the pregnancy, as well as help the client research the kind of birth she wants and assist with writing a birth plan.
A doula will support the woman in whatever birth she chooses, be that medicated, unmedicated, induced, spontaneous, caesarean, hospital, home or birth centre. A doula will not offer opinions or make decisions on your behalf but will assist in the decision making process by providing balanced and unbiased information.
A doula can also offer emotional or practical support in the immediate postnatal period.
