Provide
physical comfort measures, such as:
- massage, soothing touch, and acupressure
- breathing and relaxation techniques
- visualization
- adjusting positions for comfort and labor progress
- being an extra pair of hands
- support for hypnobirthing
Offer
emotional support during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum
- reassurance that things are progressing normally
- encouragement
- validation of feelings
- protects and nurtures the memory of the birth experience
Provide
information and advocacy- offer individual prenatal education
- answer questions with accurate and up to date information
- facilitate communication between the laboring woman, her partner, nurses, and doctors
- advocate for client's goals and birth preferences
- support and respect their client's choices
- translate medical jargon when needed
What doulas don't do: - replace or overshadow fathers/birth partners (in fact, research shows that douals help fathers to be more involved in the pregnancy, labor and birth)
- provide clinical services such as: exams, making diagnoses, assisting the doctor/nurse/midwife, or prescribing treatments
- make decisions for clients or persuade them to follow a particular course.
