"This site is dedicated to all the parents of heavens little miracles"

 

Hi, this is Donna the Doula. This is just a little bit of information about me, personally. I am 38 years old and married to Walter. We have 3 wonderful sons, Graeme (14), Colin (11) and Jordan (6). We live in Gauteng, South Africa in a suburb called Randpark Ridge. I have been in the Doula 'business' for about 8 years now and have practiced in Durban, Port Shepstone, Port Elizabeth and now in Gauteng. I am completely passionate about my work and take great pleasure in everything I do. My goal is to create beautiful birth environments for couples, assist with the transition to parenthood and ensure that your experience is just as you would like it be. 

 

The word Doula is an ancient Greek term which literally means "slave". Of course, no one wants to be referred to as a slave, so the meaning has been tempered down to be understood as "Women who help women". From ancient times until quite recently, women were surrounded by other women during the birth process. With the addition of hospitals and fathers being able to take part in the birth with their wives, this concept was lost. In our modern society, the midwife's and nurse's role has become increasingly demanding and has led to women and their partners often being left for long periods of time without support and professional care. This can be very frightening and lead to a negative birth experience, which may have detrimental consequences and result in post-natal depression or delayed bonding with the baby, for example.

A doula is a professional, non-medical layperson that has been trained in childbirth to provide continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth. Her role is not to replace that of the father, but rather to enhance his experience of the birth and to assure him that his partner is in the best possible hands throughout her labour and birth. The doula's knowledge and uninterrupted support to both mother and father provides great reassurance to them both.

A doula

  • Recognizes birth as a key life experience that a mother will remember all her life.
  • Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labour.
  • Assists women and their partners in preparing for and carrying out their wishes for the birth.
  • Stays by the woman's side throughout the labour.
  • Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, an objective viewpoint and informational assistance in order to make informed decisions.
  • Facilitates communication between the labouring woman, her partner and clinical care providers.
  • Perceives her role as one who nurtures and protects the woman's memory of her birth experience.

The acceptance of doulas in maternity care is growing rapidly with the recognition of their important contribution to the improved physical outcomes and emotional well-being of mothers and their newborns.

 

Benefits of having a trained Doula

·         25% shorter labour

·         30% reduction in analgesia use

·         40% reduction in oxytocin use

·         60% reduction in epidural requests

·         40% reduction in forceps delivery

·         Over 50% reduction in caesarean rate

Information obtained from Mothering the Mother: How a Doula Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier and Healthier Birth, Klaus, Kennell and Klaus (1993)