Gentle Birth Doula
                  Birth and Postpartum Services
                            info@gentle-birth-doula.com / 914.255.6769

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a birth doula? - A birth doula is trained and experienced in childbirth. She provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth.

What does the word doula mean? - The word doula comes from the ancient Greek language. It means "womans servant" or "with woman."

What effects does the presence of a doula have on birth? - several clinical studies have found that a doula's presence at birth has been known to shorten the length of labor, reduce the request for pain medications and epidurals, as well as the incidence of cesareans, reduce negative feelings about one's birth experience, reduce the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction

What effects does the presence of a doula have on the mother? - women report greater satisfaction with their birth experience, because a doula was present. Also, this experience is allowing women to make a more positive assessment of their babies. These women have fewer cesareans and requests for medical intervention, and tend to have less postpartum depression.

 Will a doula perform medical procedures? - No. Doulas do not perform medical procedures nor do they prescribe medications. Doulas will not take your blood pressure, temperature, or monitor the fetal heart rate of the baby. Doulas will not perform vaginal exams or provide postpartum clinical care. Doulas are there to comfort and support the mother and to provide mothers with the tools to empower themselves to enhance communication between themselves and the medical staff. Doulas will not make decisions for your or intervene with medical professionals in their providing you with clinical care. A doula will provide informational and emotional support, while respecting the mother's decisions.

Will a doula make my partner feel unnecessary? -  No a doula will support both mother and her partner. She will support and nurture what ever the partner feels comfortable bringing to the birth. The doula plays a very important role in helping the partner to become involved in the birth and to feel comfortable.

                     Benefits of Having a Doula have been know to..... 

                                               26% less likely to give birth by cesarean section
                                               41% less likely to give birth with a vacuum extractor or forceps
                                               28% less likely to use any analgesia or anesthesia
                                               33% less likely to be dissatisfied or negatively rate their birth

      Findings of Hodnett’s et al meta-analysis of 15 trials from N. America, Europe, and Africa

What is a Postpartum Doula? - A postpartum doula guides and supports parents through the period of life just after the birth of the baby.

What does a Postpartum Doula do? - A postpartum doula's job changes from day to day. Her duties depend on the needs of the family. Postpartum doulas help families with anything from light housekeeping to sibling care, to running errands. Postpartum doulas also provide a listening ear, help keep house in tact, make mom feel better about getting things done with out being overwhelmed.

How long does a Postpartum Doula Stay? - can provide support for one or two days to as long as two or three months. As the doula spends time with the family, the family learns more and more about how to care for their baby and the family eventually becomes independent of the doula.