What is a Doula?
Doula is Greek for women helping women.
Throughout active labor and delivery, the Doula remains at the woman's side
offering personal attention and encouragement. By understanding that birth
is a key life event that a woman remembers forever, the Doula works with the
mother to help ensure that childbirth will be a positive and empowering
experience. A Doula provides various non-medical techniques to facilitate
labor including relaxation and massage. A Doula does not replace the
woman's partner or clinical care providers, rather she complements their
efforts. The Doula is rapidly becoming an integral part of the maternity
care team.
Article contributed by M.O.M.S. (Midwest Organization of
Maternal Services)
www.momsindy.org
To locate a Doula in your area or to learn more visit:
www.dona.org (Doulas of North
America)
