Doula’s do not:

~Perform  medical tasks such as vaginal exams, take a blood pressure, or check fetal heart tones. (Unless she has training beyond that and has permission from the clients care provider to use those skills)

~She does not diagnose, or  give medical advise.~

~Make decisions for the pregnant (or laboring) mother, or her partner.~ Our job is provide information before the birth so that you can better decide the course of your labor and birth.

Other  Common Misconceptions

A doula is not needed if you are planning a home birth (or a hospital birth) with a midwife.

Midwives usually spend much more time with their patients than most physicians. However, their role is still not that of a doula’s.  A midwife may not always be able to  be with the laboring mother as long as a doula can be. (In some cases a midwife may not be able to show up until close to delivery).  There have been many times, a doula has recognized a mother in transition, when the parents themselves have  not yet realized it.  When this happens, its nice to have someone there that can  say it’s time to call the midwife! Most often, the midwife is there to support the laboring mother for as long as the mother needs her. However, a doula can still compliment the role of the midwife and the father. She can still give plenty of emotional and physical support, and is good about taking care of the little things that might go unnoticed throughout labor. (For example, getting ice or hot packs, or showing dad where and how to massage moms  back or hips).

Doula’s are not needed if there is a Dad, partner, friend or relative present for the  birth.

Doula's do  not replace the father, partner, friend or relative. These people can offer enormous support to the mother. A doula will compliment the roles of others in  the room.  She will provide a wealth of of techniques to ease the pain of the mother, and will get others involved in helping with these methods.

The doula knows the birth plan. She helps guide the laboring mom (and partner) through the process, keeping their goals in mind as the labor progresses. When mom starts vocalizing her pain, or making certain movements - the partner, (or other labor companions) may become frightened. They may want fix her pain by suggesting pain medications. A  doula can gently remind both mother and those also attending of what their original plan was and why they chose such, and can reassure them that everything is going fine. The doula will provide many ideas on how to reduce the pain naturally, and get the other labor companions involved in this process.  It’s up to mom to decide when she wants pain medication, not those around her.

Other  Questions :

I  am planning on getting an Epidural, so why do I need a doula?

If you have hired a doula, you will have learned all about the fine print on your Epidural form of consent.  You will understand the pros and cons of this and (other procedures), so that when and if you do decide that it may be necessary,  there won’t be any surprises. Even if you plan ahead of time, to have an Epidural there are other ways a doula can still be helpful.  She can still provide emotional support to both the laboring mother and her partner. She can still help with physical support and comfort measures. For example, scalp massage, arm and hand massage, verbal support, and reminding the staff to help change her position.  She may offer ideas on pushing positions, or help with the laboring mother cope with certain side effects that an Epidural may sometimes cause. She can also be there with the mom  if dad decides he wants to take a nap or get a bite to eat.  During the pushing stage, some doctors turn the Epidural off or slow it way down. The doula can be there to help with physical comfort measures during this time, as well as keep the mother emotionally intact when she suddenly feels things she wasn’t ready.  When an Epidural is left ON, a mother may not feel the urge to push, and may need extra support, especially if moving around is difficult and a change of  position might help the birth process go faster.

Last I would like to add that having a doula present during a planned Epidural birth  can be especially helpful in the event that the birth does not go as  planned. Unfortunately, having an Epidural can cause other events in the birth process to occur that may not have happened in an unmedicated birth. For example: Sometimes an Epidural can cause labor to slow down or even  stop. Oxytocin is then needed. Sometimes the baby may not tolerate one or both of these events. A doula can help the parents understand what is happening and be there to further explain any medical procedures that may be taking place. (Sometimes a doctor or a nurse does not have time to explain in detail why they are doing this or that, and it is nice to have your own personal translator with you in the room, not only giving you information, but giving  support as well).

Even when there are no problems or side effects, a doula will help comfort the mother and  father in physical and emotional ways. Sometimes a mom may just want a cup of ice, but doesn’t want her partner to leave her!

A doula can still make any birth a wonderful experience. She can take pictures, or provide massage or aromatherapy to create a relaxing and calming birth  experience.

I have a scheduled Cesarean birth.  Is a doula worth it for me?

A doula can help you get answers to your questions and formulate a birth plan for  a cesarean section. Once inside the operating room, your doula will assist you in knowing what is going on by giving you details of whatever you wish to know.

One important fact to remember about the cesarean is that the baby is born in the  first few minutes. The rest of the nearly hour long procedure is the repair. If  your husband is busy with the baby or in the nursery, you would otherwise be alone during this period. Your doula can be with you, while your partner watches the baby, or vice versa.  Either way, the mother is not left alone.

Afterwards, your doula can suggest postoperative comfort measures. She can assist you with breast-feeding. Your doula can also help with remind the staff about your post  op birth plans and any other special needs you may have.

(Source: Cesarean: Do I Need A Doula? Robin E. Weiss)

What about the father's role when using a doula?  Why can’t *he* be my  doula?

Most women wouldn’t trade their husbands for anything in the delivery room.  A doula would never expect her to either. Having a husband present, has been proven to help a laboring mother immensely, but having a doula present, has statistically shown an even greater outcome.  Dads are great! However, they can get emotional, confused, and overwhelmed even under the best situations.  Even the best dad can forget what he learned in childbirth classes when it comes time for the labor and delivery. They may also feel unsure about what to do. A doula has training above and beyond anything that can be taught in childbirth classes. A doula will make suggestions, and remind of him things taught in the classes which will help your partner help you. The doula can suggest certain things  that can help ease labor and often shorten the labor as well. These aren’t new tricks, but age old techniques that have been used for centuries, that have somehow been lost in this modern world of machines and technology.  For example: How to “fix” a stalled labor.  How to get baby from a posterior to anterior position. How to bring baby down into the pelvis - and much more. These are things that most dads, or other close friends and relatives cannot help with.  Knowing what positions to use and when, can be the key to a faster labor!

Your doula is there to support both you and your partner. From simply letting your spouse  take a break to reassuring your partner that what is happening is normal. Sometimes a husband needs to take a little nap, but the mother does not wish to be left alone, and feels torn between letting her husband sleep, and  asking for a back rub. Sometimes it’s easier to keep a stranger awake, than  someone that you love and care about!

Studies show that doula’s touch mothers 95% of the time, compared to fathers at only 20%!  As your doula, you will find your husband participating far beyond the 20% average! 

Furthermore, having a doula present has shown statistically that it only enhances the  relationship with her husband in the postpartum period. 70% of mothers who had a doula reported feeling more satisfied with their relationship six weeks postpartum.
(The Doula Advantage, pp 67, 136-137)