all photography © Julia Chemotti
A doula provides non-clinical emotional, physical, and informational support to pregnant women and their families before, during, and after birth. A doula helps the mother labor and birth her baby as efficiently and as comfortably as possible while minimizing distractions or disruptions. A doula supports the laboring mother’s other support people by enabling them to take a break, helping them to help the mother, and offering reassurance. She respects their special relationship.
A doula provides emotional support.
A doula provides physical support.
A doula provides informational support.
A doula provides emotional support.
- She reassures the parents that a feeling of self‐doubt is normal during the period of time shortly before the mother will push
- She is a source of confidence when the parents are tired or discouraged
A doula provides physical support.
- She encourages and facilitates proper hydration and nutrition for the parents during the labor
- She suggests positions that to improve the mother’s comfort appropriate to a particular stage of labor
- She provides massage or counterpressure to alleviate pain
A doula provides informational support.
- She reminds parents of questions to ask their health care provider
- She assists in helping the parents plan for their birth and helping them become aware of all of their options
