|   What is a Doula?

What is a Doula?    |   Engage a Doula

A Birth Doula's Function

  • Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life
  • Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
  • Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth
  • Stays with the woman throughout the labor
  • Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as 
    helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decisions
  • Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers
  • Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience
  • Allows the woman's partner to participate at his own comfort level

What are the proven benefits of having a doula?

Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies 
are healthier and they breastfeed more easily. Studies consistently demonstrate very impressive benefits for the mother, father and baby, including:
  • 50% fewer caesarean sections
  • Reduction in the use of forceps/ vacuum by 40%
  • 60% fewer requests for epidurals
  • 40% reduction in the use of synthetic oxytocin for inductions or augmentations
  • 30% reduction in use of pain medication
  • 25% reduction in labour length
  • Increased rates of breastfeeding at 6 weeks post-partum (51% vs 29%)
  • Higher self-esteem (74% vs 59%), less anxiety (28% vs 40%) and less depression (10% vs 23%) at 6 weeks post-partum

    *Reference: Klaus & Kennell,The Doula Book, 1992

 

What about the woman's partner - does a doula replace them?

Rather than reducing a partner’s participation in the birth process, a doula’s support complements
and reinforces their role. Partners feel more enthusiastic that their contribution to the labour and
birth was meaningful and helpful. They feel more confident and relaxed seeing and learning some techniques on how to support their wives that they can try themselves. Not only do partners report higher levels of satisfaction after the birth, but mothers reported feeling more satisfied with their partners role at birth too.  

What will my doctor/ hospital say if I have a doula at my birth?

In Malaysia, the doula is a relatively new concept to medical care-providers. However, more and more ObGyns and labour ward staff are beginning to recognize the very important role that a doula can play in the hospital. Private hospitals that offer natural birth/ waterbirth option such as Pantai Hospital in KL are very open to the idea of having a doula at birth.

In 2013, the Malaysian Ministry of Health began to implement "Mother-Friendly Care" in government hospitals as a component of the Baby-Friendly (Breastfeeding-Friendly) Hospital Initiative - as required by the World Health Organization. In the "Mother-Friendly Care" concept, labouring and birthing women have a right to continuous physical and emotional support. This is not rendered by any of the labour ward staff as they usually have a lot of other duties to do.

Make your wish to have a Doula at your birth known to your ObGyn as early as possible in your pregnancy and pay attention to the conversation that follows :- If he/she is not supportive, then it gives you an idea of the sort of birth you might have if you stay with this particular doctor - you may end up feeling unsupported and disempowered through the whole experience. Remember that ultimately, it is your right to have your wishes respected.