The terminology describing doulas can be confusing.
While a birth doula is professionally trained to provide support to the woman and her partner durring labour and birth, a postpartum doula acts as a supporting advisor and helper, professionally trained to provide postpartum support to the mother and her family.
The birth of a baby represents a profound and permanent life change for the parents and other family members. For new parents the challenges are numerous. Total responsibility for a new tiny dependant newborn, sleeplessness, emotional adjustment, mastery of infant feeding and care, as well as understanding of the postpartum adjustment to the unique personality of your baby is a big life changing experience. Throw in household organization and parents find they need more support at home then they expected.
In times past, new parents could usually depend on their own parents, other family members or friends to assist them. While these resources are stilll available today, other demands such as distance make it difficult to meet the new families needs. The importance of support, advice and assistance in the weeks following the birth cannot be overemphasized.
The ways in which the woman, baby, partner and siblings make the transformation to the new family unit has a long term impact on their physical and emotional health. With the doulas education, quiet support and guidance, she is able to offer the traditional postpartum support that our society is missing.
Current research by experts tells us what many have long suspected-that those who are new parents who have support and feel secure and cared for during this time are more successful in adapting then those who don't. Studies have shown that cultures in which women are cared for by others for a defined period of days or weeks and are expected only to nurture themselves and their babies during that time have:
Doulas are trained in postpartum adjustment, newborn characteristics, feeding and promotion of parent-infant bonding. They are experienced in supporting families through the postpartum experience.
Coming into the home durring the 4th trimester following birth, the doulas role is to provide education, support and companionship. This also involves assisting with newborn care, family adjustment, meal prep and light day to day household tasks. Postpartum doulas support regarding emotional and physical recovery from birth, infant soothing techniques and coping skills for new parents. By "mothering the mother", the doula enables the new mother to recover from pregnancy, birth and focus her energy on bondiing with the new baby. Giving her the new mom/parent/family support in the early weeks helps provide early parenting success.
The role of the doula is one of non-medical support.
Dr.'s, midwives, nurses and others are responsible for the heath and well-being of the mother and baby. The doula meets the practical and psycho-social needs of the family.
The Postpartum Doula's Role in Maternity Care. Taken with permission to reproduce from DONA (Doulas of North America) Position Paper, 2010
