A Woman Who Serves

Doula's are people who can help make somebody's whole birthing experience easier on them by using trained techniques. Doula is ancient Greek word meaning "a woman who serves." They are there to give physical, emotional, and informational support to a mother before, during and after the birth (Dona International, for mothers and families, page 1). They help to make sure the mother's wishes are respected by doctors when they are in labor, because often when you are in that much pain you forget what it was you really wanted. They have been trained in the child birth process and try to make the experience more safe, memorable, and empowering. They educate the mother and partner on their options so they can decide what would be best for them. Doula's always keeps the mothers best wishes in mind and never pushes what they would prefer them to do.

Doula's can better educate women and their partners on how the entire birthing experience will happen, as well as provide them with options during and after the birthing process. They will give different options on the birth itself, what kind of medications are safe, and what avenue will be best suited for each individual mother, whether it be cesarean, natural, or using numbing agents to make the process less painful (http://www.dona.org/publications/position_paper_birth.php page 2).

The Postpartum Doula's assistance is especially needed after the birth of a baby when extended help is not available. For new parents, having a baby is a time of great joy but the challenges of a new baby can be numerous. Much emphasis has been on the pregnancy and birth, and now that baby has arrived many parents fill ill-prepared for the daily routine care that they now need to provide. In addition to recovering from birth, they are responsible for a tiny dependent newborn that has a unique personality (http://www.postpartumdoulafortworth.com/). Sleeplessness and emotional adjustments as well as trying to master infant feeding and nurturing, along with household tasks and possibly caring for older siblings may require new parents to need more support at home than they had expected. The Postpartum Doula is trained in postpartum adjustment, newborn characteristics, care, feeding, and development, and the promotion of parent-infant bonding. She has experience in supporting families through their postpartum period. Coming into the home during the fourth trimester following birth, the Doula's role is to provide education, nonjudgmental support, and companionship, and to assist with newborn care and family adjustment. She may also help with meal preparation, errands, grocery shopping, baby laundry, sibling care and light household tasks. The Postpartum Doula can spend time with the baby, allowing parents to cuddle and have quality time with older children, in addition to creating a nurturing, restful atmosphere in which parents may eat, shower and take a nap. The Postpartum

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