During birth a doula will work towards building an atmosphere of calm. She will remind a woman that she knows how to birth her baby, gently encouraging her to “let go”. One of the greatest fears women hold is that they will be abandoned in a time of need. The continuous and gentle presence of a doula allows a woman to relax and surrender to her birth without fear of abandonment.

A doula understands the physiology of birth and how to best support the hormones of labour and birth. She ensures the birthing room is warm, quiet and dark and helps keep interruptions to a minimum. Most importantly, she helps create and hold a “safe space” in which a woman can let go and surrender to her labour, facilitating an optimal hormonal balance for the most efficient and easy labour. When a woman is able to trust her birthing team she can let go of her rational thinking brain, freeing herself from the burden of decision making. The “primal brain”, which is the part of the brain responsible for birth, can then operate effectively. Knowing her doula is watching over the birth process and ensuring she is being treated respectfully and being informed when necessary, a woman is able to let go of what is happening and concentrate on her body and birthing her baby.

“This feeling of safety with another woman creates a kind of inner strength that enables a woman to begin to test the limits of her own capacities and to experience dimensions possibly not recognised before – or perhaps recognised by not risked” - Dr. Marshall Klaus

A doula is trained to provide physical support during birth. If the need arises, she can quietly direct a woman to take postures that help optimise labour or give her baby a chance to adjust their position. Additionally she knows how to maximise the natural pain relief mechanisms within the body.

Unlike the medical professionals whose responsibility lies both with the birthing woman and the baby, a doula’s primary focus is the birthing woman. A doula will never give up on a birthing woman and will support her for as long as she needs. After birth, when the attention of those present transfers to the newborn, particularly in an emergency situation, a doula’s attention will remain on the birthing mother. If the newborn needs any immediate medical care a doula can relay what she sees happening and explain any procedures.

In the event that an unexpected situation arises during birth, a doula will remain calm and will help a couple to understand the options given to them by the medical team. In some cases she may be able to suggest alternatives that the couple can present to their medical carer. She will remind them of their birth plan and if need be will advocate for the birthing woman. A doula’s advocacy includes support, mediation, information and negotiation. A doula will not speak instead of, or make decisions on behalf of a birthing couple.