Laura Sanderson lmp massage therapist and labor doula  
childbirth educator
insurance provider
  
 
 

Doula Questions & Facts

What are the duties of a Doula?
Doulas provide a variety of services throughout labor, with the primary focus on comforting and supporting the laboring mother. Each birth experience is unique and every mother and partner has individual needs, so the duties of the Doula can change for each client. Most duties entail advice on positioning and techniques to support and encourage the labor process, assistance with physical needs, massage and informational “back-up”, as well as providing diplomatic advocacy for the laboring mother and partner with medical personnel.

What duties can’t Doulas perform?
A Doula is not hired as a doctor or mid-wife and therefore cannot offer medical advice nor deliver a baby. I believe the mother benefits from a smooth and professional relationship between the Doula and the care providers. I make every attempt to fulfill the wishes of a client’s birth plan; however I recognize and respect the authority of the care provider, and will not enter into an adversarial situation with medical staff. (I can ask medical staff for clarification of specific reasons on my client’s behalf if the need arises.)

Dad/Partners and Doulas – How do we work together?
“Will the Doula take over my role in the birth process?

Doula Facts
50% reduction in cesarean rate
25% shorter labor
60% decrease in epidural requests
40% decrease in Pitocin use
40% decrease in forceps delivery
30% decrease in analgesia use (ex - morphine)

6 weeks after delivery
Less anxiety and depression
Mom’s have more confidence with baby Mom experience higher satisfaction with partner (71% vs 30%)
Mom more likely to be breast feeding (52% vs 29%)
     
    laura.sanderson@gmail.com