Canberra doula


	Doula (Doo-lah) comes from the Greek word meaning woman who serves. The modern day Doula supports women and their partners during pregnancy, throughout the birth process in the hospital or birth centre, and during the postnatal period. A Doula provides three types of support: • General informational support • Emotional support • Physical support A Doula is not a midwife, or a medical practitioner, but is a valuable member of the birth team. Doulas DO NOT provide medical, nursing, midwifery or any therapeutic care, nor do they comment on, interpret or judge this care but they do make a great deal of difference to the birth outcome. Continuous labour support reduces a woman's likelihood of having pain medication, increases her satisfaction and chances for 'spontaneous' birth, and has no known risks . Supportive care during labour may involve emotional support, information, and comfort measures. Such care may enhance normal labour processes and thus reduce the need for obstetric intervention. Women who received continuous labour support were less likely to use pain medications and were more likely to be satisfied and to give birth 'spontaneously' (with neither caesarean nor vacuum nor forceps). In general, labour support was more effective when it was provided by women who were not part of the hospital staff. Continuous support for women during childbirth Hodnett ED, Gates S, Hofmeyr G J, Sakala C My role as your Doula As your Doula I will meet with you and your partner a minimum of four times at your home or the Confident Birth & WellBeing. These antenatal visits prepare the way fro the best labour and birth for you as an individual. During these sessions I will supply information to broaden your childbirth education and we will get to know each other. Prior to our first meeting I will give you a comprehensive information pack. Additional material based on your specific needs will include journal articles, books and videos and any items that you may have requested from the Confident Birth library. I make an effort to include a wide variety of evidence based information that gives unbiased views of issues concerning preganancy and birth. From the time you engage my services you may request information from me at any time. Included in our meetings will be the opportunity to enjoy guided mediation and realaxtion sessions. I will also demonstrate non-medical pain relief methods such as massage, heat, visualisation, arommatherapy, music and water therapy. I firmly believe that my job is to serve YOU and that only YOU can know the best birth options for yourself. The information I bring is meant for you to deepen your personal knowledge and begin your own exploration so that you can better judge your needs. As your knowledege grows you will confident in decided on your birth preferences and can talk with me about the type of birth you would prefer. I will then offer suggestions about comfort measures and startegies to support your physical and emotional welbeing. When you go onto labour I will meet you at your home or your chosen birth place and stay with you throughout labour and support you in the way we have planned. Labour support begins as soon as you feel you need me and includes *Setting up and maintaining a tranquil space with low lighting, aromatherapy and gentle music - wherever you are labouring* Being your advocate and ensuring your wishes and preferences are respected Explaining medical procedures you may be unsure of Massaging your back and rubbing your feet with personally blended essential oils Freshening your face with a cool fragrant cloth and checking your lips aren’t dry Watching your fluid intake and making sure you drink enough. Helping you establish good breathing patterns Suggesting and supporting position changes Helping you use water to increase comfort Whispering encouragement and reassurance when you are weary Showing patners how to provide comfort measures or just making sure they understand the process and can fully enjoy the experience Keeping an eye on partners, they may need to be reminded to eat and drink, and perhaps some reassurance that everything is just fine Staying with you throughout labour and birth, but leaving you alone at times if that is what you wish Supply of high quality therapeutic grade natural remedies and a large range of labour aids ...whatever makes you feel comfortable and secure. After your baby’s birth I will leave you when you feel you do not need me. I will visit you again in your own home to talk about your experiences and to do any further support work you request of me. If you have requested photographs, these will be given to you on a disc along with your personal birth story. My overall aim is to help you to achieve the best birth experience for you - whether you choose a natural birth, a medically assisted birth or an elective caesarean section. "Women's strongest feelings [in terms of their birthings], positive and negative, focus on the way they were treated by their caregivers." -Annie Kennedy & Penny Simkin

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