As a way of appreciating my fellow doulas on #WorldDoulaWeek, I created a short video explaining what doulas are, what they do, and how they can enhance your birthing experience.

What to take away from this video

• Doulas are birth coaches. They are companions who provide non-clinical support and care to a person (and their partner if applicable) during childbirth and the postpartum period.
• Doulas work with people in labor, their families, and their health care team to ensure effective communication and understanding of the birthing process. They will NEVER decide for you. They will support YOUR birth choices.

Doulas have a collective motivation to ensure that families have a secure, comfortable, positive birth experience.

• Doulas make sure that expecting parents (1) feel safe and comfortable, (2) they are aware of their choices, (3) and that they are making fully informed decisions when it comes to their birthing experience.
• Some of the things you can expect from your doula’s help are physical assistance and comfort (pain-easing massages, helping you maintain proper supportive posture, providing food and drink), and emotional support.
• Having doulas in birth and in postpartum is associated with many benefits:
  • reduction in the incidence of C-sections, operative vaginal deliveries, and likelihood of birth complications involving mothers or children
  • reduction in the number of low-birth weight babies
  • reduction the duration of labor
  • reduction in the need for pain-relief medications
  • increase success of breastfeeding
  • increase mother’s satisfaction of the birth experience
  • reduction in the incidence of postpartum mood disorders
  • increase new parents confidence in the care of their newborn
• Doulas help parents transition smoothly into parenthood.

If you have worked with doulas before, do share with us and help spread the word. If you have questions and/or are curious about how doulas and naturopathic medicine can help you enhance your birthing experience, don’t hesitate to message me through here or my social media pages.

Love and peace.