Commentary: Dads and doulas: how a doula can help enhance a father's role during labor
Brandi Holloway
May 2, 2005
A "special woman" is being honored this month for the valuable contributions she gives to expectant mothers during the process of childbirth. This woman provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support for a mother and her partner during the labor, delivery and postpartum periods. Her "name" is "doula," and May is International Doula month.
"Doula," a Greek word that refers to a woman trained and experienced in childbirth, is an assistant who prepares and carries out a pregnant woman's plans for childbirth. She understands the physiology of birth and a woman's emotional needs during labor. By providing practical comfort measures, an objective viewpoint, and information that aids decision making, a doula complements a woman's partner and clinical-care providers.
The importance of doulas is evidenced by studies in "Mothering the Mother." According to those studies, when doulas are present at birth, obstetrical outcomes improve. For example, with the presence of a doula, caesarian rates decreased by 51 percent; length of labor decreased by 25 percent; pitocin use fell by 71 percent; pain medication requests dropped 35 percent; forceps delivery decreased 57 percent; and requests for epidurals fell 60 percent.
Information from "The Doula Book" also shows that when doulas provide labor support, women are more satisfied with their childbirth experiences, and the mother-infant interaction is enhanced for as long as two months after birth.
A doula's importance is also amplified by a father's possible inexperience in the childbirth process. Today, a father's participation as an aide to his partner is a familiar occurrence. However, it is sometimes forgotten that the expectations of his role as "labor coach" may be difficult to fulfill.
For example, a father may not understand a woman's instinctive behavior during childbirth and react anxiously to what a doula would know to be a normal part of the birth process. He also may become distressed as he witnesses his partner in pain. The doula's skills and knowledge can be shared with the father to help him feel more relaxed and involved. If the father wants to provide physical comfort to his partner, such as a massage, change of position, or another method of relaxation, the doula can provide guidance and make suggestions for what may work best.
With the presence of a doula, the father is never left alone as the sole, isolated person responsible for caring for the pregnant mother. However, because of the doula, the father can share in the birth at a level he feels most comfortable - free to experience the joy and wonder of his child's birth.
It is also reassuring for the mother to know that the father is receiving emotional support as well. When a doula is available to both the man and woman, they are able to better fulfill their individual responsibilities.
Importantly, a doula is sensitive at all times to the couple's relationship. When labor is progressing well and the couple is interacting successfully, the doula generally enters the background. This recognition and validation of the father's right and need to be involved in the birth of his child is enhanced and strengthened by the doula's willingness to step back.
Childbirth is an experience a mother and father will remember for the rest of their lives; thus, the doula strives to protect the birth of their child by using her skills and expertise to the best of her ability. As a result, a mother and father can look forward to a safer birth and positive memories filled with feelings of accomplishment, support and love.
Editor's note: Brandi Holloway is an international certified childbirth educator, a certified doula through DONA (Doulas of North America), and co-founder and executive director (along with Jennifer Hughes) of The Birth Circle.
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