Question 1

will having a doula achieve my goal of wanting a natural birth?

Accepted Answer

Improve your odds: Having a doula is no guarantee of achieving a natural birth, but a large body of research shows those with doulas are less likely to require pain meds/anesthesia or need a c-section, forceps or vacuum extraction, so i highly recommend a doula (or friend who will act as a doula) to all women giving birth.  See http://www.Dona.Org/resources/research.Php for references to the research if interested.

Question 2

what is the role of a doula in a birth?

Accepted Answer

Support: A doula provides support during pregnancy, birth, and after your baby's been born. It's nice to have an "aunty" to ask, a shoulder to lean on, a hand to squeeze.

Question 3

how is a midwife different than a doula? im researching whether id like to have a midwife or doula at the birth of my baby, but im not clear on the difference.

Accepted Answer

There : There are two types of midwives- certified nurse midwives and uncertified midwives.  Certified nurse midwives require an advanced nursing degree and have undergone the rigorous certification process that licenses them to deliver babies with physician back-up. Uncertified midwives do not require a nursing degree and usually have less formal education, which leaves them unable to qualify for certification. While many uncertified midwives are very good, they are less regulated, which makes it more challenging to assess their qualifications and choose the  best midwife. Both certified and uncertified midwives deliver babies, but only certified nurse midwives deliver in hospitals. If youâ€™d prefer to experience labor and delivery with as little intervention as possible, reserving the participation of an ob/gyn only for emergencies, choosing a certified nurse midwife might be your best option.

The services of a doula may overlap with those offered by a midwife, but doulas do not deliver babies. A doula serves more as a labor coach, offering guidance, assisting with the labor process, and making recommendations, often for those who seek to deliver naturally and want labor support, as well as the care of an ob/gyn. If youâ€™re under the care of a doula, your doula and someone else- usually an ob/gyn- will deliver the baby. Many ob/gynâ€™s (myself included) love collaborating with midwives and doulas because the midwife or doula often has more time to be at the patientâ€™s bedside, answer questions, make natural childbirth suggestions, and offer emotional support. If you want a doctor to perform your delivery but you want a labor experience that more closely mimics what you might experience with a midwife, a doula might be just the ticket.

Question 4

can i have a doula and a midwife for my home birth?

Accepted Answer

Sure But....: ...If there are absolutely no complications it works fine. But there have been casses of unexpected complications either to the mom or infant that in a safe hospital setting could have been treated that have led to serious issues including death, because of lack of expertise and facilities. The safest way is to deliver in an accredited place.

Question 5

whts the big difference if a woman uses a midwife a doula or a obgyn?aren't natural births better and do drs encourage this without unnecessary drugs?

Accepted Answer

Why OB/GYN?: We all love it when pregnancy, labor and delivery all happen smoothly and naturally. That is how we would like it, but frequently, unpredictably and suddenly, things can turn sour and be dangerous to mother and baby. Obstetricians, neonatologists and perinatologists are the women and men trained for those situations.  Most midwives have or are required to have obstetricians within easy reach.

Question 6

are midwife's just able to 'coach' you through birth?

Accepted Answer

They do more: Midwives are skillful deliverers of babies, and knowledgeable and compassionate care providers. But they are not fully equipped to deal with the often sudden and unexpected emergencies  that often crop up in pregnancy, labor and delivery, without the help of doctors.

Question 7

what is a doula?

Accepted Answer

Support team: A doula is hired by a patient independently of her doctor and hospital to provide nonmedical physical and emotional support during labor and after birth. Childbirth can be a scary time and some patients find hiring a doula to be helpful.

Question 8

is it important to have a post-partum doula?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Many women find having a doula to be helpful, others not so much.  If you are delivering in a hospital, look for a doula with experience in hospital birth.  Having a doula that is very anti-hospital (as some are) likely creates more stress than it relieves.

Question 9

do doula's support you before your pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Not typically: From www.Dona.Org (a doula info website):
"the word "doula" comes from the ancient greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.".

Question 10

what is the difference between a doula and a midwife?

Accepted Answer

Doula vs. MF: A doula is someone who provides non-medical support to women and their families during labour and childbirth, and also the postpartum period - wikipedia. Mf, on the other hand, is one who provides medical support to the women in labor.

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Doctor answers about:

Doula birthing coach

A member asked:

Will having a doula achieve my goal of wanting a natural birth?

A member asked:

What is the role of a doula in a birth?

A member asked:

How is a midwife different than a doula? im researching whether id like to have a midwife or doula at the birth of my baby, but im not clear on the difference.

A member asked:

Can i have a doula and a midwife for my home birth?

A member asked:

Whts the big difference if a woman uses a midwife a doula or a obgyn?aren't natural births better and do drs encourage this without unnecessary drugs?

A member asked:

Are midwife's just able to 'coach' you through birth?

A member asked:

What is a doula?

A member asked:

Is it important to have a post-partum doula?

A member asked:

Do doula's support you before your pregnancy?

A member asked:

What is the difference between a doula and a midwife?

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