Our Doulas
What is a Doula?
DOULA (pronounced doola) is a Greek word meaning “woman servant or caregiver”. It now refers to an experienced woman who offers emotional and practical support to a woman (or couple) before, during and after childbirth. A Doula “mothers the mother” – enabling a woman to have the most satisfying and empowered time that she can during pregnancy, birth and the early days as a new mum. This type of support also helps the whole family to relax and enjoy the experience.
Studies have shown that having a doula present at a birth, shortens first-time labour by an average of 2 hours, decreases the chance of caesarean section by 50%, decreases the need for pain medication, helps the father or chosen partner with confidence and increases success in breast-feeding. (Findings from Mothering the Mother, Klaus, Kennell & Klaus, 1993).
A BIRTH DOULA
- Recognizes childbirth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life
- Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labour
- Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for the birth
- Stays with the woman throughout the labour
- Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get information she needs to make informed decisions
- Facilitates communication between the labouring woman and the father or chosen partner as it may be difficult for that companion to remain continuously objective, calm, and removed to some degree from the mother’s discomfort, fears or dangers
- Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman’s memory of the birth experience
- Allows the woman’s partner to participate at the comfort level
BIRTH DOULAS are trained and experienced in childbirth, although they may or may not have given birth themselves. They have a good knowledge and awareness of female physiology, but the doula is not supporting the mother in a clinical role – that is the job of the midwife / medical staff.
Questions to ask a Doula
They following questions will help you decide if a particular doula is right for you.
For any doula
What training have you had? (If a doula is certified, you might consider checking with the organization.) Do you have one or more backup doulas for times when you not available? May we meet her/them? What is your fee, what does it include, and what are your refund policies?
When interviewing a birth doula
Tell me/us about your philosophy about childbirth and supporting women and their partners through labour. May we meet to discuss our birth plan and the role you will play in supporting me/us through childbirth? May we call you with questions or concerns before and after the birth? When do you try to join women in labour? Do you come to our home or meet us at the place of birth? Do you meet with me/us after the birth to review the labour and answer questions?
Mamatoto Resource & Birth Centre proudly hosted the first Doula training in Trinidad and Tobago and in the Region. US trained and certified Jamie Swann from the well acclaimed DONA International conducted the workshop in September 2004 at the Mamatoto Centre. The workshop was sponsored by the National Lotteries Control Board. Ten women were trained at that workshop and were greeted with overwhelming enthusiasm as women and their families recognize the significance of the role of a Doula.
The second training of Birth Doulas took place in 2005, again with Jaimie Swann. The latest training course funded by JB Fernandes Trust Fund 1 was run by Debra Pascali-Bonaro from Mother-Love Inc, also a DONA trainer, and was held in September 2009. Debra was the film maker of 'Orgasmic Birth' , a wonderful tribute to the beauty of natural childbirth which was shown during her visit here.
Currently there are 29 doulas in Trinidad who have so far attended over two hundred and seventy births and are actively working to improve the birth experience of mothers.
The Doula Alliance of Trinidad and Tobago (DATT) was formed in 2006 to promote, develop and support Doulas and the Doula profession. It promotes adherence to a Code of Ethics and Code of Practice and provides high quality labour support to clients as an effective means of improving maternal and child health.
DATT provides information and services to the public and medical community to promote a broader understanding of doula services. It also promotes continuing education and encourages the professional and personal growth of its members as a way of improving the quality of labour support in Trinidad and Tobago.
DATT maintains communication and participates with other organizations who share the commitment to improving maternal and child health. It is working towards being an inclusive organization that strives to serve its membership as best it can, so that its membership may better serve birthing mothers and become the mainstay of labour and birth support in Trinidad and Tobago. Its vision is to provide a Doula for every woman who wants one.
Doula Testimonials
To read testimonials from parents who had a doula at their birth session, click here.
Download this informative flyer (JPEG, 136kb).
