Serving the Minnesota Twin Cities Metro Area
The Childbearing year is an exciting time! There is so much to do to get ready; and so much to learn... like, what is a doula?
The word "doula" comes from ancient Greek. It means "a woman who serves," and is now used to refer to a trained, experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the family before, during, and just after birth.
Whether a sister, mother, friend, the local midwife or the nearest neighbor, women have always cared for other women during the challenging hours of labor and birth. The most recent model of this care involves doulas. The rise in doula-assisted births has emerged as the medical/technical model of birth has become the norm.
What is doula and what do we do?
A doula is a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support before, during and after childbirth. We support women in every birthing situation—hospital, birth center and home. We help the woman and support team prenatally to explore her birthing options. During labor and birth, our support is guided by the preferences/wishes of the birthing family. We strive to help everyone at the birth feel helpful and calm while they support the mother.
Why is the doula role important and unique?
We care for the woman in a way that helps her feel safe, secure and confident as she faces the journey from pregnancy to motherhood. A doula represents both the knowledge of evidence-based best practices and appreciation for the traditional wisdom of birth.
We fill the only role in the birth team that offers true continuous care—from the time the mother calls for us until the baby is safely snuggled in her arms. We are there for the mother and her partner no matter what the length of the birth, or whether the birth includes some or no interventions.
We respect and understand birth as a normal process in a healthy woman’s life. We do not replace the partner or extended family, but we guide and help them to be supportive and helpful during the labor and birth.
How to find the right doula
It is best to interview at least two or three doulas in person. DONA offers sample interview questions on its website. It is important that you understand and appreciate the doula's communication style and are calmed by her physical presence.
The doula who feels like the one who can help you face and embrace what is important to your birth experience is the right one for you. You should be able to tell your doula your hopes and fears, and share your dreams for what "good care" means to you. This sense of connection and trust will help you choose the right doula.
What is doula and what do we do?
A doula is a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support before, during and after childbirth. We support women in every birthing situation—hospital, birth center and home. We help the woman and support team prenatally to explore her birthing options. During labor and birth, our support is guided by the preferences/wishes of the birthing family. We strive to help everyone at the birth feel helpful and calm while they support the mother.
Why is the doula role important and unique?
We care for the woman in a way that helps her feel safe, secure and confident as she faces the journey from pregnancy to motherhood. A doula represents both the knowledge of evidence-based best practices and appreciation for the traditional wisdom of birth.
We fill the only role in the birth team that offers true continuous care—from the time the mother calls for us until the baby is safely snuggled in her arms. We are there for the mother and her partner no matter what the length of the birth, or whether the birth includes some or no interventions.
We respect and understand birth as a normal process in a healthy woman’s life. We do not replace the partner or extended family, but we guide and help them to be supportive and helpful during the labor and birth.
How to find the right doula
It is best to interview at least two or three doulas in person. DONA offers sample interview questions on its website. It is important that you understand and appreciate the doula's communication style and are calmed by her physical presence.
The doula who feels like the one who can help you face and embrace what is important to your birth experience is the right one for you. You should be able to tell your doula your hopes and fears, and share your dreams for what "good care" means to you. This sense of connection and trust will help you choose the right doula.
