Doula

Doo-lah

Greek for "a woman who serves".

A trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.

A doula will meet with the mother and family, generally, two or three times prior to labor.  During labor, a doula will provide continuous support to the laboring woman.  After the birth, a doula will spend two hours thereafter with the mama, providing additional support.  After mama and baby go home, a doula will come to visit to further attend to the mama. 

What does "continuous"mean, exactly?  Continuous means non-stop.  Wherever the locale, a doula will remain with the laboring woman the entire time. 

Why two hours after?  Many times after the baby is born the focus shifts from the mama to the baby.  A doula will keep the focus on the mama, as the placenta is being delivered, for example, and she is recovering from her little one's birth. 

Why is a doula coming to our home after the baby is born?  A doula may answer questions regarding breastfeeding, formula-feeding, lochia, sleep, stress, etc.  A doula may also be inclined to bring do a load of laundry or hold the baby while mama takes a shower.  A doula may engage other children while mama and baby share a moment together.  A doula might just be the solace a tired, frazzled mama needs...someone to talk to over a cup of tea...