A doula is a professional whose role is to accompany pregnant women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period, in addition to supporting, encouraging, offering comfort and emotional support at these times.
Doula is a term of Greek origin that means “woman who serves” and, despite not being a health professional, her role facilitates a more humanized birth, as it is common for women to feel helpless at this time. Furthermore, it is common for doulas to advocate the most natural birth possible, with minimal medical interventions.
However, it is important to remember that, despite the ability and preparation to carry out births, the doula does not have enough knowledge to intervene if complications or situations arise that put the health of the mother or baby at risk, therefore, it is recommended that no birth happen without the presence of a healthcare professional, such as an obstetrician, pediatrician and nurse.
What is your role
The doula’s main role is to provide assistance to women with regard to pregnancy, childbirth and baby care. Other functions performed by the doula are:
- Provide guidance and facilitate preparation for childbirth;
- Encourage normal birth;
- Clear doubts and reduce anxieties related to childbirth and the couple’s life with the new baby;
- Suggest ways to relieve pain, through positions or massages;
- Offer emotional support before, during and after birth;
- Support and assistance in relation to the baby’s first care.
In this way, the presence of a doula, both at home and in the hospital, can help reduce the pregnant woman’s anxiety and pain, in addition to facilitating a calm and welcoming environment. Check out other advantages of humanized birth.
Precautions that must be taken
Despite the benefits, it is important to remember that the presence of a doula does not replace the role of health professionals, such as obstetricians, pediatricians and nurses, as these are the only ones capable of acting in the event of complications or urgency during childbirth, which, despite are not common, they can appear during any birth.
Furthermore, some doulas may advise against procedures that are considered important by doctors, such as monitoring the baby’s vital signs and not using silver nitrate or vitamin K, for example. Carrying out these procedures is necessary and recommended by doctors as they are done as a way to reduce the risk to the health of the mother or baby.
Furthermore, post-term birth or prolonging labor beyond the time recommended by doctors can bring serious consequences and risk of death during childbirth.
