World Doula Week! How doulas help families and what is a doula anyway?

Welcome to World Doula Week - this week starts on March 22-28th! And we celebrate the work of doulas this week. 

So, what is a doula anyway? In Greek the word means "servant". 

First of all - there are two types of doulas - birth doula and postpartum doula (and well technically 3 - also bereavement doula). Anyway, in this article I am going to discuss the first 2 styles. 

A birth doula helps a mother during her pregnancy and labor time; she answers the phone at 2 am in the morning, she coaches the mother through breathing during labor; she holds her hand (physically or virtually if virtual doula); she is there as a continuous labor support till the baby is born! (No, she is not a midwife - she does not do anything medical!) 

A postpartum doula helps the mother by doing laundry or making a meal while the mother cuddles the baby; also the postpartum doula helps train the mother on knowing how to care for her baby from diapering to bottle or breastfeeding; the postpartum doula can organize meal train for the family; a postpartum doula can also help the mother with recovery by traditional ceremonies - such as belly binding to healing teas! 

So, now that you know a little bit about doulas - we hope that you will find a local doula to support. If you are looking for a Catholic doula - I have a small directory of doulas that can help you at http://findacatholicdoula.weebly.com 

I also offer virtual doula support - so what's a virtual doula? I support mothers preparing for birth (or postpartum) via virtually - phone, text, zoom, Face Time, etc. Whatever works for the mother! This support is important for mothers who need this care and help. If you want to learn more about my virtual support - I have information here: https://ourladysmantledoula.weebly.com/birth.html 

So, in conclusion - doulas are here to help families - most do cost something - but it is worth the cost of a doula - there is evidence based information - go here for the article about Evidence for doulas: 

Doulas help mothers have less epidurals, less C-sections, less everything - the doula will give a mother a better outcome for her birth.

And as far as evidence for postpartum doulas - they help mothers get through that "4th trimester" of getting to know a new baby, breastfeeding, and possible postpartum depression (or baby blues) and help the mother experience this in a better way! Recovery time is faster with a postpartum doula. Anyway, let me know if you have any questions - contact me at catholicdoulanews@gmail.com - thanks so much!