What is a Doula? || Birth Day Presence - Labor Support Doulas || Serving the New York Metropolitan Area

What is a Doula?

A doula (pronounced Doo-la) is a term from the Greek language meaning a "woman who serves." In the American Maternity Care System, it represents women who nurture mothers and their families through the emotional and physical challenges and joys of childbearing. Doulas provide non-medical support and they are the only care providers in the maternity system whose responsibility is to support you exclusively and continuously. Since studies show that doctors are with you only 5% of the time and nurses only 20-25% of the time, Labor Support or Birth doulas provide constant care throughout your entire birth experience.

Birth doulas are re-creating the woman-to-woman network of the past. Having another woman present to provide reassurance and encouragement has been seen throughout history. Unfortunately, as birth has been taken out of our communities, the experienced loving support of sisters, mothers, aunts, and friends has also diminished. Most women do not share or participate in a birth until they are experience their own. This is where a birth doula can be so helpful. We understand the emotional and physical complexities of birth, we are able to ease the fears and anxieties of the unknown, and we can instill confidence and trust in you and your body. We are able to increase the intimacy of the experience for a mother and her partner by managing the fears of both parents and providing useful comfort techniques for the mother that the partner may use, as well. We also help facilitate communication with your maternity care team.

Randomized Controlled trials demonstrate that the presence of a doula is also associated with:

Reduction of cesarean rates
Fewer forceps/vacuum deliveries
Less requests for epidurals
Shorter labor
Reduced use of Pitocin/Oxytocin
Lower rates of newborn complications
Increased success with breastfeeding
Reduction in postpartum depression
Increased maternal satisfaction

To prepare you for working with us, we will meet with you prenatally to discuss your expectations of your birth, to share our knowledge, and to get to know each other better.

We use a wide variety of pain-management techniques to help you feel more safe and comfortable, including:

Massage
Acupressure
Positioning for mother’s comfort and to relieve/avoid back labor
Shower/bath
Birth ball
Hot and cold compresses
Guided imagery/visualizations
Aromatherapy

We can share ideas (though you will always first need to consult your midwife or doctor) about natural methods of starting labor, speeding a stalled labor, and managing back labor, as well. We also help you to fully understand any complications or interventions that may arise.

We will stay with you throughout your labor and birth, as well as a few hours after your baby arrives. Finally, we come to your home to follow up, admire your baby, and offer you community referrals.

What doulas do not do.

Perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressure, fetal heart checks, vaginal exams, and others. We are there to provide only physical comfort, emotional support and advocacy.
Make decisions for you. We will help you get the information necessary to make an informed decision. We will also remind you if there is a departure from your Birth Preferences.
Speak to the staff instead of you regarding matters where decisions are being made. We will discuss your concerns with you and suggest options, but you or your partner will speak on your behalf to the clinical staff.

* Please be aware that your choice of care provider can greatly influence your birth experience. As doulas, we cannot change your provider's protocols and practices. If you are feeling unsure about your choice of provider, we are happy to discuss your various options. However, no matter whom you give birth with or what the circumstances are, we will support you in any and all ways we can.

What is a Postpartum Doula?

A postpartum doula is a nurturing, non-judgmental woman who helps ease the transition into parenthood during the early postpartum weeks. She offers emotional and breastfeeding support along with practical newborn care tips. She takes care of necessary household tasks such as meal preparation, light cleaning, and errand running.

Unlike a baby nurse who focuses her care solely on the newborn, a postpartum doula encourages and teaches parents how to care for their newborn, to interpret their baby's cues, and to trust their instincts in responding to their baby's needs, imbuing the parents with the confidence and support they need to develop their own parenting style. Most importantly, a doula will adjust her services to meet the particular needs of each family.

What Postpartum Doulas Do Not Do:

Perform medical care such as diagnosis or treatment.
Pressure parents to adhere to a particular style of baby care.
"Take over" baby care for mother or father

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Birth Day Presence - Labor and Postpartum Doulas, Childbirth Education and Birth Photography

Serving the New York Metropolitan Area

Terry Richmond & Jada Shapiro - doulas@birthdaypresence.net - (917)751-6579