What is a doula

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Su Smith asked:

Q. What is a doula ...

A. The word 'doula' comes from a Greek word, meaning a woman who is experienced in childbirth. Although she is not medically qualified, she has been trained to assist women during childbirth by providing physical and emotional support.

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Q. Why would I want a doula rather than my partner or the midwife
A. The idea is that the doula is there as well as the midwife and anyone else you want to bring along. However, it may be advisable to leave your partner in the waiting room.

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Q. Why
A. Recent research confirms that mothers have a far easier time giving birth if they are supported by another woman instead of their partner. Dr John Kennell and Dr Susan McGrath, of Cape Western University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, looked at 15 years of studies into the roles of doulas. These studies were done in Canada, South Africa, Finland, Guatemala and the US. The studies in the US were particularly revealing.

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Q. What did they show
A. Six clinical trials banned family members and friends from the birth altogether.

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Q. What did they find
A. When the mother had constant support from a doula, the number of Caesarean deliveries was cut by 50%, the use of forceps dropped by 40%, there were 60% fewer requests for epidurals, the need for pain-killing drugs dropped by a third and labours were, on average,�25% shorter.

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Q. Why does a doula make a difference
A. No easy explanations. The researchers think it may be because anxiety holds up labour, and the soothing support of another - experienced - female simply makes a woman in labour more relaxed.

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Q. Didn't Michel Odent also object to men in the labour suite
A. Yes, Dr Michael Odent, the French childbirth expert who pioneered the use of the birthing pool, claimed that the presence of a man in the delivery room can inhibit the 'primeval act' of childbirth. He also claims that men put pressure on doctors to carry out Caesareans because they cannot bear to see their partners in pain.

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Q. Any other advantage to using a doula
A. The research also showed that doula-supported mothers developed closer bonds with their babies and spent much less time away from them than other mothers. They were more likely to breastfeed and less likely to suffer from post-natal depression.

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Q. Where can I find a doula
A. Contact the Doula Training Network UK, Culdees, Fortingall, Nr Aberfeldy, Perthshire PH15 2NF.

By Merill Haseen