What a doula does and does not do

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Doulas DO:

Provide emotional support, physical comfort, and unbiased information as requested
Support families in a non-judgmental way
Support ALL types of births (induced labors, spontaneous labors, planned cesareans, unplanned cesareans, vaginal birth without medication, and vaginal birth with medication)
Support any choices the parents make
Provide suggestions for comfort and progress
Help the woman’s birth partner use those suggestions
Give the birth partner a break when needed
Ensure the birth partner is comfortable and nourished
Allow the birth partner space to participate at their comfort level
Create a calm and comfortable environment
Work with your nurse and doctor or midwife as a team
Provide reassurance when things get intense
Encourage the mother and partner to work together during the labor process
Aim to build the relationship between mother and partner
Respect the boundaries of her role
Encourage you during the hardest parts of labor and birth
Help you connect with your inner strength
Instill confidence in your ability to birth and parent your baby
Encourage you or your partner to advocate on your behalf

Doulas DON’T:

Replace the role of your medical care provider
Replace the role of your husband/partner
Give medical advice
Overstep boundaries between other members of your birth team
Force women to do anything they don’t want to do
Hold women hostage to their birth plan
Attend home births unassisted by medical providers
Foster distrust between a woman and her care provider
Have an opinion on how you should birth or parent
Monitor for medical conditions
Perform medical procedures (examples: cervical checks, assess blood pressure, assess fetal heart tones)
Only support “natural birth” (the term natural can mean several different things)
Abandon birthing women if they choose to use medication
Have a philosophy on how birth should be
Speak to medical staff on your behalf
Advocate for you
Come to your birth space uninvited