Doula Support
Doula; a person trained to provide advice, information, emotional support, and physical comfort to a mother before, during, and just after childbirth.
While doulas are used throughout the world, the role of a doula is still unfamiliar for a lot of Australians. I had the honour of training with Dona International in 2017 and am looking forward to working with more birthing people in such an important part of their life. Doulas have been proven to improve outcomes for labour and birth.
“Research shows that childbirth does go more smoothly with a doula: labor is 25 percent shorter, the need for epidural pain relief is 60 percent less and the Cesarean section rate is reduced by half”.
- Susan Gilbert.
PHYSICAL SUPPORT
Doulas provide ideas for position changes for comfort and labour progression. Hands-on comfort measures like comforting touch, counter pressure, breathing techniques and other “doula magic” for families.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
Doulas can help the labouring person and their birth team feel supported, easing the intense experience of birth and helping create a space where the hormones of labour can work at their best. Whether a birth is completely unmedicated or medically very complex, every family can benefit from being nurtured and supported at this tender and incredible time in their lives.
EVIDENCE-BASED INFORMATION & ADVOCACY
DONA International doulas are trained to help people connect with evidence-based resources. This helps arm birthing people and their team with information to make informed decisions about their pregnancy, labour and birth. Doulas can also help advocate for you and your family to work towards your preferred birth outcomes.
PARTNER SUPPORT
One of my favourite things to do in the labour room is get your support people involved - should they choose to. At times the birthing person’s support person may need some reassurance themselves and while the birthing person is the main priority, it’s important everyone feels comfortable in the room.
“It might have been Tina’s first birth but let me tell you, I felt like she’s done this a million times. In fact, I know she was meant to do this! Her love and passion are very clear and I would not hesitate in recommending her to any mums to be whether it’s their first pregnancy or third and whether they have a partner in the room with them.”