Doula Care

What a Labor & Postpartum Doula Does

A doula is a trained support person who provides emotional, physical, and informational support to a mother and her family during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.

Doulas are not medical professionals — they do not perform any medical procedures, give medical advice, or replace doctors, midwives, or nurses.

Labor Doula Support Includes:

·      Offering comfort measures during labor (such as breathing techniques, positioning, massage, and encouragement).

• Helping the mother and family understand what to expect during labor and birth.

• Supporting the birthing person’s choices and birth plan.

• Providing a calming, reassuring presence throughout labor.

• Assisting the family in communicating their needs with medical staff.

Postpartum Doula Support Includes:

·      Offering emotional support to the new parent(s).

• Helping with newborn care basics (such as swaddling, diapering, and soothing — but not medical care).

• Supporting breastfeeding or bottle feeding and connecting families to lactation or medical professionals if needed.

• Light household support to help families adjust in the early days (like light meal prep or laundry).

• Providing information on community resources and referrals to medical providers when appropriate.

A Doula Does Not:

·      Perform medical exams or procedures

• Diagnose or treat medical conditions

• Make medical decisions for the family

• Replace a nurse, doctor, or midwife

•  Renewed Life Ministry WV will strive to offer you a labor or postpartum doula to provide this important non-medical support, helping your family feel cared for, informed, and empowered during this special time.