1. What is a PDX birth doula?

2. Where does the word "doula" come from?

3. What effects does the presence of a doula have on birth outcomes?

4. What effects does the presence of a doula have on the mother?

5. What effects does the presence of a doula have on babies?

6. How can I use PDX Doulas?

7. How does PDX Doulas practice? What will it cost?

8. Does a PDX Doula replace nursing staff?

9. Does a PDX Doula make decisions on my behalf?

10. Will a PDX Doula make my partner feel unnecessary?

1. What is a PDX birth doula?

A PDX birth doula is a person trained and experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth.

2. Where does the word “doula” come from?

The word “doula” comes from ancient Greek, meaning “Woman’s servant.” Throughout history and in much of the world today, a cadre of women support a woman through labor and birth, giving back rubs and providing continuous emotional support. Like their historical counterparts, PDXl birth doulas know how to help a woman in labor feel better. However, today’s doulas are much more diverse than their predecessors. Our membership includes women from a wide range of ages and cultural backgrounds.

3. What effects does the presence of a doula have on birth outcomes?

Numerous clinical studies have found that a doula’s presence at birth:

• tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications
• reduces negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience
• reduces the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction
• reduces the requests for pain medication and epidurals, as well as the incidence of cesareans

4. What effects does the presence of a doula have on the mother?

When a doula is present during and after childbirth, women report greater satisfaction with their birth experience, make more positive assessments of their babies, have fewer cesareans and requests for medical intervention, and less postpartum depression.

5. What effects do the presence of doulas have on babies?

Studies have shown that babies born with doulas present tend to have shorter hospital stays with fewer admissions to special care nurseries, breastfeed more easily and have more affectionate mothers in the postpartum period.

6. How can I use PDX Doulas?

If you are delivering at OHSU, doulas are assigned by the medical staff and you cannot request a specific doula. Tell your careprovider prenatally your interest in the doula program or staff when you arrive at the hospital.

If you are interested in privately hiring a PDX Doula, please read about our doulas and then press on apply. Fill out the form and specify the doula.

7. How does PDX Doulas practice? What is the cost?

PDX Doulas are available 24/7, on call. We are called in for births and will meet you for the first time in labor at OHSU. Ask early and often to receive doula care. Currently, we will only have one doula available at any time and may not be able to fill all requests.

PDX Doulas are independent contractors that provide services at OHSU. Our services are reimbursed through a grant by CareOregon. It is FREE to the client.

If you would like to choose your own doula you would be hiring the doula independent of CareOregon and payment would be made by you. This cost would be negotiated with the doula directly.

8. Does a PDX Doula replace nursing staff?

No. Doulas do not replace nurses or other medical staff. Doulas do not perform clinical or medical tasks such as taking blood pressure or temperature, monitoring fetal heart rate, doing vaginal examinations or providing postpartum clinical care. They are there to comfort and support the mother and to enhance communication between the mother and medical professionals.

9. Does a PDX Doula make decisions on my behalf?

A doula does not make decisions for clients or intervene in their clinical care. She provides informational and emotional support, while respecting a woman’s decisions.

10. Will a PDX Doula make my partner feel unnecessary?

No, a doula is supportive to both the mother and her partner, and plays a crucial role in helping a partner become involved in the birth to the extent he/she feels comfortable.

Download DONA's Dads and Birth Doulas brochure in PDF format.

*Adapted from http://www.dona.org