Labor Doulas provide on-going emotional and physical support through the entire process of labor.  Why necessary?  Because in the hospital setting many couples labor for most of the time alone.  While the nurses on staff would like to provide labor support, they often have little time to spend individually with a couple.  The nurse’s role is to monitor the progress of the labor so she comes in and out of the labor room checking on the progress.  A birth assistant's role is to fill the gap in human support in the hospital setting for the couple by staying with them through the entire length of labor.  Studies have shown that a doulas presence can actually reduce the length of labor, lessen the mother’s chance at having a caesarean section as well as lessen the need other medicines or interventions.

Our Labor Doulas are trained by means of DONA (Doulas of North America), and ALACE (Associates of Labor and Childbirth Education).

Our labor doulas provide on-going emotional and physical support for both mother and partner through the entire length of labor.  Contact is made up to 5 months in advance.  When a family has met with a doula and committed to working with her, she will be available by phone.  She may make more than one home visit (if necessary) prior to labor.  The client may call the doula as she goes to her doctor visits or as questions or concerns arise during her pregnancy.  Once labor begins, the doula may attend to her at home or meet the couple at the hospital.  At the hospital, the doula will provide continuous guidance and practical suggestions on how to manage pain, help the couple understand what is happening during the different stages of labor and how best to manage it. 

MothersCare Labor Support Doulas provide ongoing emotional and physical support throughout your entire labor and delivery

She also can help the mother understand the options she may have as to pain medications.  If a mother wants a completely non-medicated birth, the doula will help her achieve that through various strategies for managing the contractions.  A doula does not interfere with the hospital staff.  She does not challenge any medical decisions the doctor makes but rather helps the couple understand any information given, as well as the choices they may have (if any) in any given situation. 

Having a labor doula allows the partner some respite.  Especially with a lengthy labor, a partner can go get a bite to eat or take a brief nap while the doula tends to the needs of the laboring woman.  The doula does not take the place of the partner but rather will help to meet the needs of the laboring woman up to where the partner may leave off.  The doula respects the desires of the partner to take a very active role or a lesser one and meets the needs of the couple accordingly.

A labor doula stays the entire length of labor.  If the labor is quick and takes a few hours or if the labor is lengthy, the doula stays until the mother is comfortable in her recovery room.  The doula can help a mom to get off to a good start with breastfeeding by teaching her how to latch her baby on correctly as soon as possible after delivery.  Giving the baby the opportunity to nurse soon after birth helps the baby and mom get off to a good start in the hospital and helps prevent problems with breastfeeding later on.

When the mom and partner feel happy and comfortable, the doula leaves them and will see them again later for a postpartum visit.  During this visit she will go over the birth with them, sharing notes she has taken, helping to leave the birth experience as a positive memory for the couple that will last a lifetime.  She will also bring any pictures that she may have taken during the labor process.  

Want to know more about MothersCare Doulas.....

Please contact MothersCare for rates as well as information on  securing a labor support doula for your birth.

 Benefits of Labor Support
From the book Mothering the Mother by:
Marshall H. Klaus, MD; John H. Kennell, MD and Phyllis H. Klaus, M.Ed., C.S.W. 

This was the findings of completed and analysis of six studies done by the authors: