Frequently Asked Questions

What is a doula?

    The word doula comes from ancient greek, meaning "to serve." Throughout your labor, birth, and postpartum period, the doula "serves" you by offering encouraging and continuous support to both you and your partner. A doula is trained and experienced in childbirth and therefore may be able to give more knowledgeable support than a family member or friend. A doula also acts as a resource for you and your partner, and can provide you with information on the different methods and procedures of childbirth. This will allow you to make informed choices about your care.

What does a Doula do?

     Typically, a doula will meet with you at least twice before you give birth, in order to establish a connection and clarify your wishes for your birth. The doula will be continuously present throughout your labor and birth, offering non-medical support for pain and discomfort (such as back massages, acupressure, aromatherapy, etc.). The doula usually stays a few hours after the birth to ensure that you and your baby are settled in and to help establish breastfeeding if you choose to do so. A doula also acts as a resource and is able to describe to you what happens during certain procedures and what to expect, along with the risks and benefits of said procedures. Some doulas also offer postpartum care, in which they come to your house and help you transition into motherhood by offering non-medical mother and infant care.

What are the benefits of having a doula present at my birth?

 The statistical benefits of having a doula are studied and proven. They include:
       ~ shorter births (on average up to two hours shorter)
       ~ fewer requests for pain medication ( 60% fewer requests)
       ~ reduced need for Pitocin to augment labor (40% reduced need)
       ~ reduced need for Cesarean birth (50% fewer surgeries)
       ~ reduced need for use of forceps during delivery (30% reduced use)
The non-statistical benefits of having a doula present include:
       ~ Increased success at establishing a breastfeeding relationship with your baby.
       ~ Decreased Postpartum Depression
       ~ Increased maternal satisfaction with the childbirth experience
       ~ Better Mother to Infant interaction
Having a doula present at birth has also shown to have benefits for the newborn baby. These benefits include:
       ~ shorter hospital stays for the baby
       ~ Increased breastfeeding rates
       ~ More affection received from mothers in the postpartum period.

Will a doula speak for me or make decisions for me during my labor and birth?

     No. A doula's job is to provide you with enough information for you to make your own informed choices about your care. A doula will respect any choices that you make and act as a resource so that you will know exactly what to expect and any risks and benefits associated with any procedure.

Will a doula make my partner feel unnecessary?

     No. A doula works with both the woman and her partner and will aid the partner in being as involved in the birth as he or she feels comfortable with. For example, a doula will show the partner ways in which he or she can offer comfort and support and therefore be active in the birth.

If you are interested in any of my services,
please feel free to contact me for a 
free initial consultation.
Shelly Taft
(508) 245-5301
shelly@maternalgoddessdoula.com