Whatsa Doula
A Doula is:
💜 A professional support and guide through significant life experiences, such as pregnancy, birth, death, and recovery.
💜 There to help people feel supported and more comfortable
💜 There to support and help advocate for their client’s needs and wishes
Why include a doula in your birth process?
💜 If you plan to have a natural birth, such outcomes are proven to be more frequent with a doula
💜 If you plan to have a c-section, a doula’s presence can still have an impact on practices like skin-to-skin contact, and care for the infant’s microbiome immediately
What are the differences between doulas and midwives?
💜 The biggest difference between a doula and a midwife is that doulas DO NOT perform any clinical tasks—doulas don’t take vitals, listen to heart tones, or perform any invasive procedures.
💜 Midwives usually have some medical training—in PA midwives need a nursing degree plus a masters in Nurse midwifery to practice legally. These are Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs). CPMs (certified professional midwives) and CMs (certified midwives) can practice A-legally in PA, which means they cannot advertise their services in any way.
💜Doulas’ primary training for child labor is centered on physical comfort measures and ways to enhance labor progress. Doula trainings also vary widely, and there are no formal rules for certification.
Resources & references:
Women’s experiences of continuous support during childbirth: a meta-synthesis
Continuous support for women during childbirth
What role do Death Doulas play in end-of-life care? A systematic review
Doulas as childbirth paraprofessionals: results from a national survey