Birth Doulas:

• Assist the mother in preparing for and carrying out her plans for the birth.
• Bring understanding about the physiology of birth & knows the value of supporting the emotional needs of the mother in labor.
• Provide immediate care giving in the labor process, offer help with suggestions for contractions, positions & discomfort.
• Remain by the side of the mother throughout the entire process & facilitate communication between her & her partner as well as any clinical personnel involved.

The doula supports the mother's beliefs and desires for her childbirth experience. A doula will offer support and encouragement to the woman and her partner, but as a birthing professional does not intrude on their experience.

A doula will stay with the mother for a brief period after the birth of her child and will offer suggestions and assist with breastfeeding. She will help the mother and her partner as they are adjusting to her new role as parents. A doulas presence is reassuring and comforting to women and their partners during this miraculous time.

Postpartum Doulas:

• Assist with aspects of breastfeeding.
• Provide emotional support to the new mother during her recovery.
• Provide assistance with newborn care.
• Increase parental confidence as she helps new parents learn to respond to their newborns individual needs.
• Helps decrease incidences of maternal exhaustion and frustration.
• Offer resources to families based on their needs.

A postpartum doula is trained to support women and their families in the first few weeks after childbirth. A postpartum doula understands responsibilities that new parents face & assists and encourages them while they are transitioning into their new roles, while respecting individual preferences as to how to care for the new baby.

Postpartum doulas are ideal for families in which:

• Mother or baby had complications during labor & delivery, or in the immediate postpartum period.
• Mother has a history of depression (postpartum or otherwise).
• There are multiple children.
• Mother has been having breastfeeding difficulty.

To locate a doula in the St. Louis and surrounding area, please call Doulas of Greater St. Louis at 314-608-9854, email brthdoula@att.net , or visit our Find a Doula page.