Q. What is a Doula?
A. Doula is someone who provides non-medical support to women and couples through their pregnancy, labour and beyond.
A Doula will be with you all the way through your labour to make sure you are as calm and comfortable as possible so that you can get on with a very important job!

The actual word has Greek origins…
I believe it can be translated as 'Women’s Servant','Birth Support' and 'Birth Assistant' are other names Doulas go by. Perhaps some statistics can best describe what a Doula does…

Six controlled studies published in British and American medical journals concluded that the presence of a trained Doula resulted in the following:

Q. Where did the practice of Doula originate or evolve from?
A. This sort of practice is ancient. In traditional cultures, there’s always an experienced Auntie, older sister or wise woman there to help a woman do the work of birthing. Today, Doula is a return to the tradition of “women sitting with women”. Many parents-to be are shocked to learn that they may be left to their own devices for long periods of time when having a baby in hospital. This certainly is no fault of the midwives. Hospitals are on budgets and schedules and don’t assign a midwife to stay with a woman throughout her labour and birth.

Q. How did you get involved with Doula?
A. My father is an obstetrician and I had been treating pregnant women with acupuncture, so the seed was germinating for quite some time. When a friend asked me to attend her second home birth to look after her 2 year old daughter, it just so happened that my acupuncture and massage training came in handy and I was inspired from that day by how peaceful and beautiful birth can be. When another friend asked me to join her in Doula training, the choice was obvious.

Q. What is the most rewarding aspect about being a Doula?
A. The challenge to really understand what people need through one of the most significant events in their lives. Birth is so real and Doula work constantly reminds me of some of the most precious things in life: care, honesty and joy.

Q.You have a special role for women during their pregnancies as a Doula. In what way do you support and give advice to pregnant women during their pregnancies, the time of labour and during the postnatal period?
A. Well before labour, a Doula listens to the needs, expectations, anxieties and questions of parents-to-be, then opens discussion about the best way to go about addressing it all. There are so many approaches to birth and plenty of ideas to explore that can clarify or expand on what couples learn in their birth classes. We don’t want to push our beliefs about birth on anyone. We don’t always have all the answers either but we will help you find what it is you want to know. Every birth will be different and we are there to respond to the mother’s needs as they change. A Doula will make sure you are aware of your options, comfortable with your choices and above all, remain relaxed.

Q. Do the services of a Doula vary from person to person or is there a set routine a Doula follows?
A. There’s no such thing as a set routine for pregnancy or labour so Doulas take their cue from what the parents want. Sure, there are some fundamental issues that would be covered with everyone but the options for birthing are so vast, the best thing a Doula can be is flexible, responsive and interested. Doulas also usually have different skills up their sleeves – I use acupuncture, massage and I’m a big fan of movement, dance and meditation. Other Doulas may use hypnosis or homoeopathy, so it’s a case of finding the Doula that best suits you.

Q. You mention Acupuncture – how do you use your Acupuncture expertise when working as a Doula?
A. I use acupuncture and massage throughout pregnancy. A woman will birth more easily if she is relaxed, well and aware of her body. Treatment focus changes as pregnancy progresses. In the first trimester, nausea and fatigue are the main challenges and acupuncture is great for this. Massage is a big help with back pain as the pregnancy progresses and treatment can also be useful in bringing the baby into a good birth position. Towards the end of pregnancy, treatment helps relax and prepare the body. I have a special table cushion that lets you lie face down to full term.
Acupuncture can be a safe, natural alternative to pharmaceutical induction if the due date passes with no sign of labour. I find that by the time I have treated a woman a few times during her pregnancy, we have established a good rapport and level of trust that really helps in labour.

Q. How often would you interact with a mum during the course of a pregnancy?
A. I see some of my mums for treatment every few weeks in the beginning and then weekly later on, depending on what they feel they need. The actual Doula sessions, where we all sit together to talk and work through preparation plans, occur over two meetings. That’s in addition to an introductory meeting where basic services are outlines and you can then take a few days to decide whether you’d like me to be there for you. After the birth, we catch up to share thoughts on the experience and address any post-natal concerns and I also include a postnatal treatment.

Q. When looking for a Doula it is understandably very important that the Doula and the Mum to be get along. How would a pregnant woman pick a Doula relating this to your personal experience?
A. You need to feel safe and calm with your Doula but she doesn’t need to be your best mate. It’s important that you feel like a potential doula is really listening to what you want and has the flexibility to accommodate changes and new ideas as they arise.
Ask plenty of questions and share your excitement and fears. Take all the time you need to make your decision; there’s no pressure to commit instantly.

Q. Is the role of a Doula growing in popularity with pregnant women?
A. As more women hear of other women’s experiences, Doulas are becoming more popular. Every woman and their partners and babies too, deserve full support to make the most of their birth experience.

Q. Are home births more common when using a Doula?
A. It’s usual for a Doula or sometimes a couple of Doulas to be present for a home birth but doulas are there to support birth wherever it may be. The majority of births I have attended have been in hospital maternity wards.

Q. Are you on call when a pregnant woman’s due date is approaching and do you have any examples of having to rush away and assist during labour?
A. I have structured my work and personal life so that if I am on call, I will not have to rush or be stressed – that’s the last thing I want to bring with me to a birth! Mum and Doula stay in close contact as the time approaches so everyone knows what’s going on and events are as calm and smooth as possible.

Q. How does the medical profession such as Doctors and Midwives view the use of Doulas?
A. Doctors, midwives and Doulas alike are all motivated by the same thing – the safe arrival of a baby. Each takes care of a different aspect to help this happen. Most medical care-givers are supportive of what a woman wants and if she wants a Doula, so be it. I have great admiration for the work I have seen done by doctors and midwives to date.

Q. What courses or workshops are available in Australia and worldwide for someone who wants to learn more about working as a Doula? And are there any Doula organisations you can turn to if you want more information?
A. I trained with Renee Adair who owns and operates Birth Central in Petersham, Sydney. She is a wealth of information and really understands what it takes to help a woman through labour.

Q. Any books or websites you recommend for someone who wants to learn more about Doula?

Many Thanks Sam for taking part in this interview.

Web Interview November 2006

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