Contents:
- Medical Video: What Is A Doula And Why Are They So Beneficial?
- Doula is a certified delivery assistant
- What is the role of the doula during accompanying the future mother?
- What's the difference between a doula and a midwife?
- There are already doctors and husbands, should labor be accompanied by a doula?
Medical Video: What Is A Doula And Why Are They So Beneficial?
The existence of doulas as labor assistants is increasingly in demand by pregnant women. In fact, not a few prospective mothers are willing to spend deeply to be accompanied by a doula during childbirth. Doula is a professional personal assistant who is in charge of maintaining mother's comfort until the day of delivery arrives. So, what is the difference between doulas and midwives, and how important is the actual role of the doula at delivery? Here's the full explanation.
Doula is a certified delivery assistant
The word 'doula' in Greek means a maid. That is, doulas play a special role in assisting prospective mothers and providing emotional, physical support, as well as educating married couples to welcome babies.
Doula accompanies the mother from the time of pregnancy, during childbirth, to after giving birth. The purpose of doulas is to help pregnant women through a smooth, comfortable and minimal pain experience.
There have been many studies that prove the benefits of the presence of doulas during labor. A recent review of the Cochrane Review, Continuous Support for Women During Childbirth, showed that the number of reports of positive childbirth experiences (comfort and minimal pain) tended to increase thanks to the assistance of doulas in the delivery room.
The presence of doulas can reduce the risk of caesarean delivery by 50 percent, shorten labor time by 25 percent, reduce the use of induction (either with drugs or devices such as forceps) by 40 percent, to reduce epidural demand by 60 percent.
That's why not people can become doulas. Doula is a certified professional personal assistant, because she has first undergone formal education and training around pregnancy and childbirth.
What is the role of the doula during accompanying the future mother?
Prospective mothers who want to be assisted until the day of birth arrive usually start looking for trusted doulas since a few months before giving birth. During this preparation time, the doula's main role is to help prospective mothers dare to ask questions, express their fears and worries, and actively create the desired birth plan.
Take an example like this: You are giving birth soon, but you are still confused about which one to give birth at the hospital. You are also met by a dilemma between wanting to have a normal or caesarean birth, with or without induction. Then, because this is your first childbirth experience, you are still not really sure to distinguish between fake and genuine contractions.
Well, your chosen doula will help answer all your questions and concerns, then provide positive input according to the condition of your pregnancy. Doulas can also encourage you to continue to provide positive stimulation for babies in the womb, to facilitate their birth when the time comes later.
Ahead of delivery, doulas will guide you to learn a number of simple techniques to relieve pain during childbirth later. For example, deep breathing techniques, relaxation, and massage that can provide comfort while stimulating contractions.
What's the difference between a doula and a midwife?
By definition, the role of midwives and doulas seems eleven-twelve. Both of them both help women through labor, but have different functions.
Most midwives can function as a substitute for doctors to help give birth. Because the midwife is provided with official midwifery education and has a valid permit (license) to carry out the practice. Midwives can also carry out tests and physical examinations during pregnancy, prescribe pregnant vitamins, to monitor mothers and babies during labor and birth (eg checking body temperature or blood pressure, conducting vaginal examinations and others).
Meanwhile, doulas don't get medical training - they don't give birth to babies, replace doctors or midwives, or act as nurses. Doula also cannot do a physical examination and / or prescribe medication.
The doula's role is limited to being a "friend" of a prospective mother - to relax, calm, and guide her through all kinds of maternity processes.
There are already doctors and husbands, should labor be accompanied by a doula?
Although they both act as assistants for labor, the husband's role still cannot be replaced by a doula. Because the doula is only a complete comfort that has been done by the husband. Doulas will actually encourage husbands to support their wives emotionally and provide comfort through certain massage and affirmation techniques.
Doulas will not interfere with the doctor's work during labor. When doctors handle labor, doulas will continue to motivate prospective mothers to stay calm and control their breathing regularly during labor.
So, the need for or not a doula is your decision. Consider carefully with your husband whether you really need a doula or not.
