The
Responsibilities of the Birth Doula
•Support the family by facilitating a nurturing and gentle birth
experience. Carefully considering the mother’s birth wishes and
facilitating this vision.
•Create a safe and supportive environment where the mother can labor
and birth in peace, free of undue fear and anxiety.
•Ensure that the baby comes into the world with as little birth
trauma as possible.
•Initiate infant and parent bonding and provide breastfeeding support.
•Teach the birth partner and family how to best support the mother
during the birth.
•Empower the mother’s partner by facilitating the bonding
of the couple.
•Care for the emotional needs of mother and family.
•Translate confusing hospital information to decrease anxiety.
•Advocate for families in the hospital.
•Make suggestions concerning labor positioning.
•Offer natural pain management through hydrotherapy, visualization,
aromatherapy, sound and breath work.
•Give massage, acupressure, and nurturing comfort measures.
•Provide continuous reassurance, comfort, respect and encouragement
based on individualized needs and preferences.