A Doula can inform a mother about the choices that are available to her.
Once the mother has made her choices it is the doula’s responsibility to support her in those decisions and help facilitate the birth the mother wants to the best of her ability. A doula desires the mother have the birth she wants and does not push her own views on the mother. Continuous physical and emotional support is provided by the doula to the laboring mother, while medical staff and the doctor/midwife are in and out of the mother’s room the doula will stay constant with the mother. Because the mother usually has an established relationship with her doula the mother responds well to her direction and encouragement.
A Doula cannot provide health-care professional services.
She doesn’t do clinical procedures such as vaginal exams or checking the mother blood pressure. While a doula doesn’t provide any medical procedures she does offer a wealth of information concerning the practices and procedures of health care professionals and can help guide the mother in understanding those practices. It is the doula’s goal to help take the confusion out of the process of pregnancy, labor and delivery so that a mother can feel confident before, during and after her delivery.