What a doula does…

• Offers culturally sensitive emotional and informational support to the client and her support person(s).

• Supports the client’s choices surrounding the birth, regardless of the doula’s personal views.

• Facilitates positive, respectful, and constructive communication between the client, the support person(s), and the medical team.

• Recognizes that the doula operates within an integrated support system, including the client’s family and medical care providers, and facilitates informed, collaborative decision-making.

• Encourages the client to consult medical caregivers on any areas of medical concern. A doula does not speak for the client but may prompt the client to ask questions regarding her care/treatment.

• Offers help and guidance on comfort measures such as breathing, relaxation, movement, positioning, comforting touch, visualization, and if available, hydrotherapy and use of a birth ball or peanut ball.

• Supports and assists with initial breastfeeding during the first few hours after birth and provides postpartum support during the hospital stay.

• Adheres to patient confidentiality in accordance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations.

What a doula does not do…

• Diagnose medical conditions or give medical advice.

• Make decisions for the client or project the doula’s own values/goals onto the client.

• While in the doula role, perform clinical tasks such as vaginal exams or assessing fetal heart tones.

• Administer medications.

• Interfere with medical treatment in the event of an emergency situation.

• The doula may be present while the patient gives informed consent, but the doula may not consent on behalf of the patient. The doula is practicing in a professional role, and as such must comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Evidence-based benefits of a doula…

• Reduced cesarean section rates

• Reduced instrumental vaginal delivery

• Increased spontaneous vaginal birth

• Less likely to receive pain-relieving medications

• Shorter duration of labor

• Decreased use of epidural analgesia

• Increased breastfeeding initiation and ease

• Increased patient satisfaction

• Less likely to have babies with low 5-minute APGAR score

• Reduced incidence of postpartum depression

How doulas are trained…

• All doulas are trained in

• I am trained in all the things listed above as well as social work, individual & couples therapy, perinatal mental health, trauma-survivors, perinatal loss, and have my own personal experience with miscarriage & have raised 3 children. I have been a therapist for almost 20 years and a doula for 5 years.