Hey Megan, don't feel like a nuffy (he he great terminology) I didn't know what a Doula was until a lady who was in our Due group started studying to become one.
A doula is a birth support person. Has no clinical duties, we work along with a private midwife, hospital widwife or OB, or neither if someone has an unassisted homebirth. But definately no clinical duties. We offer information to ladies and their partners before labour, to help assist them make there on decisions about birth. Usually information that isn't normally told to you from hospital staff. We then are present for the birth (if you choose), to offer encouragement, support and suggestions on pain managment. And then a post natal visit, to offer support and reassurance and guideness with BF, diapering, cord care, sleeping etc. Even some house hold duties to help out. If you look up Doula in the dictionary it says 'slave' but I guess more a modern day slave,.
I'm loving it so far. It's very rewarding knowing you are helping someone achieve the birth they are after. It's amazing how much I have learnt about how our bodies, especially the brain works during labour. I can't wait until my first birth.
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