The
Three
Doulas
Labour & Birth Support Services
Contact Us: 587-298-9234
Grande Prairie, Alberta
DONA Certified Doula available.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Birth Doula?
A Birth Doula accompanies a woman in the process of birth; on your terms.
For expectant parents, the birth of a child is a key life event that is full of meaning and emotion. A doula who accompanies a
woman in labour cares for the mother, taking care of emotional & physical needs throughout labour and delivery.
A doula is there to provide support for partners to enhance the experience at the birth of their child.
At 'The Three Doulas' our primary goal is that you will experience a satisfying, safe birth.
What does a Birth Doula do?
A Doula is there for you to provide non-judgemental support. At 'The Three Doulas' we work to empower and to encourage you.
A Doula also:
- Provides reassurance.
- Ensures that you have the information necessary to make informed decisions.
- Massage, positioning, relaxation & other comfort techniques.
- Help with Breastfeeding.
A doula will work to ensure the mother and partner are prepared to make empowered choices about childbirth options.
A doula works to help mother's psychological and emotional preparation for birth and coming motherhood.
During labour your doula provides comfort measures to help keep you relaxed and in turn, your partner will feel
more calm and at ease and able to focus on this amazing experience.
Your doula will help to facilitate skin-to-skin contact with mother and newborn as soon as medically possible after delivery
and if you plan to breastfeed, your doula will be there for you while you and your newborn are in the incredible process of
bonding together and will help you get breastfeeding initiated. A doula recognises the need to tell your birth story and
breastfeeding experience and will be available to you shortly after you come home with your newborn to talk together.
What does a Doula not do?
- A Doula is not a baby catcher.
- We are not Nurses, Midwives or Doctors.
- Our role is non-medical so we do not perform clinical tasks.
- We do not make decisions for you.
- We also do not take over any roles of others attending your birth.
- Your Doula does not tell you when, or when not to go to the hospital.
Does a Doula take over the role of my Partner?
At 'The Three Doulas' we do not take over the role of your partner.
We support your Partner in his comfort level of participation.
In the prenatal visits this topic can be discussed so as to alleviate this concern.
As Doulas we recognise that this birth belongs to you and your partner.
It is my hope as a doula that my secondary support will provide peace of mind to both you and your partner.
I am here to support the partner's role, and there are many ways for partner to support during labour and delivery.
Examples of partner and doula working together:
1st example:
Mother is slow dancing with partner during a contraction, she asks to change positions.
Doula brings birth ball to mother, mother nods and doula holds ball still as mother supported by partner
gets on birth ball.
2nd example:
It is time to push, partner is holding mother's hand, watching baby crown and is telling mother that
he can see baby.
Mother has finished a contraction, doula offers mother water. Mother takes a quick sip before the next contraction starts.
Other questions?
Please contact us by phone or email.
Do 'The Three Doulas' work as a team of three?
Unless you decide otherwise, you hire one birth doula.
Photos used with permission