Mothers are having children with less and less support in today's society. The lack of support during pregnancy and birth often leads to more stress and greater complications. In recent years, the addition of a doula to a family's support team has become popular for pregnant, birthing, and postpartum women.
You may have heard the term, but what exactly is a doula? A doula is a trained support person who understands the psychology and physiology of birth and is skilled in multiple ways to assist the mother through childbearing and/or the postpartum period. A doula is not a medical or healthcare professional, but is educated in pain reduction techniques, coaching and parenting skills.
But I'm birthing in a hospital; isn't a doula only if I have a midwife? Not at all! As a matter of fact, moms that birth in the hospital find doulas even more helpful because communication with the medical staff is sometimes intimidating or difficult.
It's also nice to have someone around to explain things the mom may not understand such as medical tests or terminology. Mothers birthing in a birth center or at home can also hire a doula to support them, and help ease communication, instill relaxation, and prepare a welcoming environment. A doula can help support a mother and her partner, can help with siblings, and can even assist mom preparing food or setting up the perfect atmosphere with music or candles.
The physical and emotional support that a doula can provide has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of complications including cesarean section, anesthesia and vacuum extraction. Additionally, reducing the risk of postpartum depression is of significant importance to the entire family.
The mental and emotional health of a mother and her child has a direct impact on their physical health as well as the child's cognitive and psychosocial development. There is a direct link between mom's emotional state and her baby's emotional well-being, development and behavior. This suggests that supportive, loving and helpful interventions by doulas during pregnancy can have a strong and positive impact on the baby's development.
As more mothers begin to use doulas, there is a significant impact to infant and maternal complications and mortality including an increase in healthy birth outcomes, reduction in mental health problems, increase in the vaginal birth rate, and an overall improvement in the health and wellbeing of mothers and children.
Jill Diana Chasse
Dr. Jill Diana Chasse is maternal/child public health practitioner, an author and a counselor. Jill has been working with the mother-baby dyad in birth and psychology for over 20 years.
She has studied midwifery at both Ancient Arts Midwifery Institute and Institute of Holistic Midwifery, holds Master's degrees in Psychology and Public Administration, and a Doctorate in Health Administration.
Personally, she loves the ocean, skiing, horseback riding, and cuddling up with her kids, hot coffee and a good book in front of a fireplace on a snowy evening.
Currently, she works in public health for the federal government and teaches classes for the Childbearing Year at Wise Woman University, online, including the childbirth education method she founded, BEBE- Baby-Empowered Birthing Education.
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