"You can't stop the waves, but you can learn how to surf"
- John Kabat-Zinn
What is a doula?
A doula is a woman who carries you (and your partner) through all stages of the birth process. She is there to help you relax. As a familiar face, helping hand, and mental support. But also to give practical tips and to explain what happens in your body prior to and during childbirth.
A doula, unlike a midwife, is not allowed to perform medical procedures. However, she does master the psychology and physiology of the birthing process. This allows her to be fully there for you in an emotional, spiritual and educational way.
Because you have often already met a doula during your pregnancy (and she helps you map out your birth plan), you build a relationship of trust. She is aware of all your wishes and monitors them during the delivery. She is not there to replace your partner, obstetrician or gynecologist, but to complement your birth team. ​
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More
tranquility
More
strength
Why a doula?
Your
birth
Your
story
A study by Klaus & Kennell (2008) on the influence of a doula on labor has shown that doula-assisted deliveries resulted in 31% fewer requests for pain relief, 25% shorter labor duration and 45% fewer cesarean deliveries. .
In addition, the women who had a doula in their birthing team reported a greater degree of satisfaction with the delivery, greater partner involvement during delivery, fewer health complaints in the baby after delivery and a stronger bond between mother and child.
It is therefore not surprising that hospitals also recognize the valuable role of a doula. For example, the AMC in Amsterdam is the first hospital in the Netherlands to employ a doula.
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