Traditionally, a woman experienced childbirth surrounded by companions. These companions were usually women from their own family or community. The presence of companions during childbirth meant that a woman was never left alone during this intensely stressful and often frightening time in her life. She was comforted, reassured and praised throughout the time of childbirth.

Unfortunately, as medicine and the care of women during childbirth became more technically advanced, the role and importance of companions during childbirth seems to have been sidelined and forgotten. Now a situation has arisen where many women endure childbirth alone for long periods, scared and without comfort or companionship. This is where having professional birth support in the form of a Doula can make such a difference.

A Doula (from ancient Greek meaning “woman servant”) is a trained, professional support-person who assists a woman during pregnancy and birth. A Doula views birth as one of the most important experiences in a woman’s life, and knows the importance of creating positive birth memories. She is trained in the physiology of birth and understands the emotional needs of a woman in labour, and assists the woman and her partner in preparing for and carrying out their plans for birth.

The Doula stays by the side of the labouring woman throughout the entire labour, never leaving her. She provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, an objective viewpoint, and assistance to the woman in getting the information she needs to make good decisions. The Doula facilitates good communication between the labouring woman, her partner, and clinical caregivers; and perceives her role as one who nurtures and protects the woman's memory of her birth experience.

The Research says …

The research is based on fourteen trials involving more than 5000 women, conducted in Belgium, Botswana, Canada, Finland, France, Greece, Guatemala, Mexico, South Africa and the United States. From a professional standpoint the research on Doulas provides guidance to hospitals and physicians. Several medical organisations encourage the use of Doulas, basing their decision on the research. “In fact,” says world-renowned Gynaecologist and Obstetrician Dr. Christiane Northrup “the results are so startling that if a Doula were a drug, it would be illegal not to prescribe it.”

Among other findings, the studies found that the presence of a Doula (regardless of whether there is another support person there or not):

1. reduces the need for a caesarean section by 50%
2. shortens the length of labour by 25%
3. reduces the use of labour induction by 40%
4. reduces the need for epidurals by 60% and the use of pain medications by 40%
5. reduces the need for forceps-assisted births by 40%
6. reduces the likelihood of an Apgar score lower than 7 by 50%
7. increases the likelihood of a woman viewing her birth experience as positive and empowering to 82%
8. increases the likelihood of a woman to be fully breastfeeding six weeks after the birth to 51%
9. decreases the likelihood of infant health problems (i.e. vomiting, coughs, colds, poor appetite and diarrhoea) in the first six weeks to 20%, as opposed to control “no Doula” groups where the percentage is 45%
10. decreases the likelihood of post-partum anxiety and depression at six weeks to 19% as opposed to the 33% incidence in the control group

Another unexpected finding of the studies according to Klaus, Kennel and Klaus, was also observed at six weeks when those mothers who had had the support of a Doula at their birth “were more positive on all dimensions involving the specialness, ease, attractiveness and cleverness of their babies … and these mothers also perceived themselves as closer to their babies, found becoming a mother was easy, and felt that they could look after their babies better than anyone else could”.

Through providing one-on-one, continuous attention, the Doula “mothers the mother”, and women who feel cared for during labour exhibit more mothering instinct and greater confidence in their own ability to mother. What better beginning could there be for a woman and her new baby; for the family; and in the long run, for society as a whole?

Author:
Sharon Lee Plaskitt
CranioSacral Therapist and Doula
Amby Baby South Africa

Published: 13 July 2009

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