Labor Coach/Doula Support in Labor
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center encourages you to request support from family and friends during childbirth. Some women also choose to utilize the services of a trained labor coach/doula during labor.
The following outlines the labor coach/doula’s role in labor when working with a mother at our medical center. We hope this will help you select a labor coach/doula that can support you during labor and work collaboratively with our staff.
Definition: A labor coach/doula is a trained and experienced support person for a laboring woman. A labor coach/doula has no professional relationship with Alta Bates Summit Medical Center and understands and agrees that the hospital privileged physicians, midwives, and nurses caring for you are responsible for the assessment and treatment of both you and your baby.
A Labor Coach/Doula’s Role Includes:
- Providing physical and emotional support to aid you in effectively coping with labor.
- Working harmoniously with your other support persons and the health care team.
- Offering advice in breathing and relaxation and techniques.
A Labor Coach/Doula’s Role Does Not Include:
- Performing clinical tasks such as assessing your medical needs, your baby’s condition, or your progress in labor. This is the role of your hospital privileged physician, midwife, and nurse while you are in labor.
- Diagnosing medical conditions affecting you and your baby or offering medical advice. This is the role of your hospital privileged physician or midwife.
- Making decisions for you or discouraging you when you have made an informed decision regarding care. It is everyone’s role to support you in your decisions once all of the options have been presented to you.
We look forward to caring for you and your baby during this very special time and we want to assure you that all members of your support and health care team will be focused on providing you with the safest and most memorable birth experience.
