The Presence of Doula ~ valuable help for all mothers!

The Presence of Doula ~ valuable help for all mothers!
 
 What is a Doula?

 The term “doula”, and her role in the perinatal period, is already well established in many European countries, as well as in the USA. It refers to an experienced woman (also referred to as a “mother figure”) who offers emotional and practical support to a woman (or couple) before, during and after childbirth. A doula believes in “mothering the mother” - enabling a woman to have the most satisfying 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.
 
What does a Doula do?
 
The services offered by a doula may vary greatly according to the needs of the mother/parents-to-be. The doula is flexible enough to recognize and offer the appropriate assistance according to the given situation, e.g. the type of support will differ for a first time mum to that for an already experienced mother of more children. Every birth is unique and therefore every woman's experience is also unique.

Before childbirth, the doula will usually meet with the mother (or couple) a few times face-to-face, and then be available by phone or for any needed additional meetings if necessary. During labour, the doula is able to offer help and suggestions on comfort measures such as breathing, relaxation, movement and positioning, hands-on work, as well as caring for and protecting the mother’s birthing environment. The doula's most important role is to provide nurturing, continuous support and reassurance. After childbirth, the doula may follow up with a couple of postnatal visits to help the new mum settle at home with her new baby, or alternatively, the mother may decide to employ a postnatal doula on a regular basis – a few hours per day or per week, for the sensitive postnatal period.

A postnatal doula may be especially helpful, as she really “mothers” the mother, helps with breastfeeding, caring for older children, caring for the mother, balances the chores of the father, and offers anything else that the family may need during this first period, (a massage to the tired mother, cleaning, cooking, shopping, practical help, a loving presence for the newborn baby while mother has a shower or has a meal, bathing and changing the baby, suggestions for simple practical survival strategies, information on a more natural ecological approach to parenting, etc.)
 

 Note: the doula does not replace the presence and help of the partner or other family members of the woman, but is there to recognize, complement and balance her needs.
 
What has research shown?
 Many valid medical studies have concluded that the presence of a doula in pregnancy, birth and postnatal period has contributed in:

• dramatic decrease of caesarean section and use of pain medication, 
  
• successful promotion and establishment of breastfeeding,
  
• decrease of morbidity rate for both mother and baby,
  
• decrease or prevention of postnatal depression,
  
• better outcomes in birth
  
• a strengthening of relationships within the family unit. 

 Maria Andreoulaki trained as a birth & postnatal doula, under the guidance of obstetrician Michel Odent (paramana-doula course) and midwife Gloria Lemay (ΒirthLove Doula Course). She has the Second Degree of the Natural Healing Method Reiki and is a certified Reflexologist. For four years she was based in Amsterdam, where she followed an apprenticeship with Lilith Turk, Active Birth teacher (preparation of pregnant women for Natural Childbirth), and was specialized in the physical preparation & care for the perinatal period. She studied music (Piano Teaching Certificate), foreign languages (teaching, translation, interpretation) and dance technique and choreography (Bachelors of Arts in Dance Thearte) in Athens, London, Amsterdam and Spain. She is a founding member of the Association for the Promotion of Natural Birth “EUTOKIA” and an active member of La Leche League Greece. A mother of two children, she lives and works in Athens, dedicated to the ‘whole’ health of family life.  

 
For information, please call: 210. 68.59.336, e-mail: tornlaki@hol.gr