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Doulas work as emotional carers, providing information, help and support for families during pregnancy, childbirth and the post-natal period. A Doula will be with you and your family as much or as little as you need her, and will be your advocate and support wherever you choose to give birth. Doulas are not a medical professionals and do not give medical advice or diagnosis.

Midwives and Doulas

Doulas offer birth support for both hospital and home births, and also pre- and post-natal support for families. For a home birth midwives primarily provide medical care, while Doula’s offer individual and non-medical care. Both can give essential information and emotional support, but while the Midwife’s time is limited for the birth a the Doula's work is defined by the specific needs of each family.

The word “Doula” stems from an ancient Greek word, meaning “servant of the woman” and a Doula embodies the willingness to support and serve a woman giving birth. Clinical results show that having a Doula support families, the results are:

1. Women have shorter labours, with lower pain relief and intervention rates and satisfied birthing experiences
2. No delays in the bonding phase for parents and baby
3. More successful breast feeding experiences and lower post-natal depression records
4. Families appreciate continuity of care by a trusted and educated person, helping them to make informed decisions, developing more confidence to welcome a new member into the family and encouraging them in the ability to care for him/her
5. Women enjoy being respected, nurtured and cared for in preparation for birth
6. Men choose to actively create their role as fathers, hence gratefully accepting information and support

Doula accreditation

Doula became an officially recognised profession in 1992, after Doulas Of Northern America (DONA) International developed a structure for the profession, after extensive research.

Nowadays, DONA, ChildBirth International (CBI) and individual trainers offer certified courses all over the world. One can train as a Birth Doula or a Post Partum Doula, or both.

What is the role of the Doula?

Doula’s have a specific training in Childbirth and Parenting to enable them to provide adequate information and care.
They also offer support in the post-natal period, including help in baby care and feeding, maternal care as well as light housework. Many Doulas will also additional skills to offer, such as post-natal massage and hypnobirthing. The whole family benefits from the presence of a Doula.

Doulas are usually specialised as Birth and Post-Natal Doulas, and will have practical experience. They will provide a book list, information of various local ante-natal classes and post-natal services as well as support groups. It is part of their work to gather this information for you.

Birth Doula

The training of a Birth Doula concentrates on pregnancy, childbirth and some post-natal care.

Individualised, continuous care has been proven as highly valuable, as you and your Doula can work as a team, adjusting to your needs and creating the birth of your baby the way you choose it.

They accompany you and your family throughout pregnancy and are with you, when your baby is born – whether in a hospital, a Midwife-Led Unit (MLU) or at home.

Post-Partum Doula

Post-Partum Doulas have general training in physiology of childbirth, but also specific training in feeding techniques, baby care, special post-natal care (cesaerian section, multiple birth, premature birth) for mum and baby, support for Dads, baby language, diagnosis of different post-natal depression, and more.

They are able to offer you support and information and have a good list of useful resources, should it be needed.

What to think of when choosing a Doula

Spend time together with a Doula, so both of you can get to know each other and decide if you are comfortable to work with each other. It is important, that both of you feel relaxed and trusting towards each other to create a successful partnership.

Ask your Doula about her training and her philosophy of working as a Doula. Make sure your Doula provides you with details of a back-up Doula, in case she cannot be available for your birth. Get detailed information about her fees and what her services include.

While Doulas can offer to do some light housework as part of their care for women post-partum, their main objective is to offer their knowledge and support.

A Doula will encourage you to make informed choices to enable you to speak up for your choices and needs, but they do not give medical advice or diagnoses.

Questions to ask

Birth Doula:

1. Meet and discuss your plans for the birth and her possible role during the event. Let her also meet and get to know your partner and children, if any
2. Provide you with information on her knowledge and skills. Get an overview of her work experience.
3. Give you contact details or ante-natal services, if you have specific needs or questions
4. Let you know her contact details and preferred times to be contacted
5. Ask what services are provided after the baby is born

1. Share her own experiences of birth, if she is a mother

Post-Partum Doula, all of the above and:

1. Discuss parenting in general and specifically the post-partum parenting needs
2. Get a clear picture of what the Doula's services will be and when she will start working with you
3. Ask if she will be available to spend time with you during the night, if needed
4. Provide you with a book list and local post-natal groups and services list

Contacting a Doula in Ireland

You can find a Doula online, through personal referrals and some hospitals will provide contacts. The Doula Association of Ireland has a list of Doulas in your area, but you will find more that work independently as well.

DONA International is the main organisation that offer Doula accreditation. A Doula in Ireland has usually either trained with an DONA International certified or recognised DOULA, or attended DONA accredited courses in the UK or on-line courses offered by ChildBirth International.

Tracy Donegan, founder of Doula Ireland, is presently the only recognised DONA International trainer in Ireland. ChildBirth International is an independent organisation offering an on-line training for Doulas.