Tender Hands Doula Service

The term doula is Greek for slave or servant. Doulas provide emotional and physical support during pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum. They call themselves many things including: Childbirth Assistant, Labor Support Professional, Birth Assistant, Birth Companion, etc.

A doula is a professional trained in childbirth who provides emotional, physical and informational support to the mother who is expecting, is experiencing labor, or has recently given birth. The doula’s purpose is to help women have a safe, memorable and empowering birthing experience.

A doula provides:

explanations of medical procedures

emotional support

advice during pregnancy

exercise and physical suggestions to make pregnancy more comfortable

help with preparation of a birth plan

massage and other non-pharmacological pain relief measures

positioning suggestions during labor and birth

helps support the partner so that they can love and encourage the laboring woman

avoid unnecessary interventions

help with breastfeeding preparation and beginnings,

written record of the birth

and many other possibilities that vary from doula to doula

Why Use a Doula?

My husband (partner) is my left hand and my doula is my right.- from Doulas Making a Difference

Many studies have shown having a doula increases positive outcomes for labor and birth. When supported by a doula, women have continuous labor support, experience less pain and use less medications, are less likely to have a cesarean birth and have a more satisfying childbirth experience.

Fathers...

The father or partner, may be better able to provide continuous support but has little actual experience in dealing with the forces of labor. Even fathers who have had intensive preparation are often surprised at the amount of work involved (more than enough for two people). Even more important, many fathers experience the birth as an emotional journey of their own and find it hard to be objective in such a situation.

Will the Doula replace the father?

Some fathers or partners are concerned they may be sidelined or replaced by the Doula during labor. Although individual situations vary, and one should question a prospective doula about her philosophy, generally the answer to this question is no - she will not replace him. Studies have shown that fathers usually participate more actively during labor in the presence of a Doula than without one. A responsible Doula supports and encourages the father and enhances his support style rather than replaces him.