Doulas remain with a woman throughout her entire labor, delivery and immediate postpartum periods. Doulas are experienced in all areas of childbirth. They are trained to perform a variety of non-invasive measures to assist the laboring woman. Massage, therapeutic touch, herbal preparations, homeopathy and accupressure are used for pain relief. Visualization, assisted walking and movement, hydrotherapy and guided positioning shorten and facilitate labor and delivery.
Doulas help women and their partners prepare a written birth plan.
This plan establishes, in advance, a guide for all of the medical professionals involved in the birth. A birth plan is developed in the third trimester of the pregnancy during two or more meetings with the doula. Options such as food during labor, positions for and location of the delivery, newborn care and discharge planning for a hospital or birthing center birth are researched and discussed. Decisions are made by the woman and her partner with the guidance of their doula. The plan is finalized and then a written copy is presented to the physician or midwife.