But Ally, What Is This New-Fangled Foreign Word? -or-- What a Doula Is

Short answer: A doula is a trained perinatal companion, educated in nonmedical labor techniques and breastfeeding initiation/education. My specific vision is to provide the the Midwives' Model of Care* to women who likely would not receive it otherwise, particularly low-income mothers and those in high-risk pregnancies.

Eventually, this needs to be a 500-1000 word essay. Right now it's...a beginning.

*The Midwives Model of Care™ is based on the fact that pregnancy and birth are normal life events. The Midwives Model of Care includes:

• monitoring the physical, psychological and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle

• providing the mother with individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery, and postpartum support

• minimizing technological interventions and;

• identifying and referring women who require obstetrical attention

The application of this model has been proven to reduce to incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section.

The Midwives Model of Care definition above is Copyright © 1996-2001, Midwifery Task Force, All Rights Reserved, and is taken from http://mana.org/definitions.html#MMOC