What is a Doula?

[cheezelz]

I know they are with you during the birth but what exactly do they do? Do Ob's and other Dr's frown upon using them?

[QTB]

Iv found Ob and midwives who frown down on us doulas, have never done a birth where a doula has been present... i had a birth this morning and the midwife was soooo thankful i was there, it makes there job alot easier... i usually meet the ob/middy before the birth, they seem warmer in the birth that way (and usually really excited about having me there!)

anyway..... I have copied this straight from my website :)

Doula’s have been expertly trained to support women in labour and to help comfort and ease the pains of labour. They specifically serve women during pregnancy, at the onset of labour, through the first few hours of the birth of the baby and the postnatal period.

Doulas do not perform clinical tasks such as fetal heart monitoring or internal exams. Instead, a Doula’s purpose is to support the labouring mother both physically and mentally to help her achieve the birth experience she desires, and to assist

the father in performing comfort measures for the mother so that the father can take a more active physical and emotional role in the birth.

[hayleysmummy]

Thanks for explaining I never really understood what a doula did til now :thumbsup: I think its a great idea sounds like such an exciting job that you would actually want to get out of bed for:laughing: