• She answers pregnancy, birth, health, diet, and
    postpartum questions.
  • She provides accurate research-backed information.
  • She educates about the risks & benefits of common
    interventions & procedures.
  • She helps parents formulate ways to convey their
    wishes to care providers.
What Does A Doula Do?
A Doula Informs
A Doula Offers
Emotional Support
  • She believes in and strengthens a woman's belief in her ability to birth.
  • She encourages a laboring mother if she becomes disheartened.
  • She acknowledges her client’s feelings; They are real and they are valid.
  • She supports a mother's choice of medication or natural pain relief options.
A Doula Provides
Physical Comfort
  • She uses massage and is trained in pain relief techniques for labor and birth.
  • She reminds and helps mothers with their chosen relaxation methods.
  • She prompts position and activity changes for comfort and progression of labor.
  • She applies heat, ice, pressure, or pain relief techniques as needed or desired.
A Doula Assists
the Family
  • She allows the laboring mother's partner to step out for food or rest.
  • She runs for necessities like towels, pillows, blankets, snacks, or beverages.
  • She gives understanding and meaning to medical terminology when needed.
  • She remains after the birth to provide immediate postpartum & breastfeeding support.
A Doula Helps Parents
Prepare for Birth
  • She uncovers & helps work through fears and expectations of the birth experience.
  • She supports her client's goals and wishes and does all she can to help her client achieve them.
  • She shares comfort measures with clients & teaches other support persons how to help &
    comfort the laboring mother.
  • She conveys all options and choices without bias or personal agenda.
  • She assists with the writing and implementation of a birth plan.
A Doula Helps Preserve
the Memory
  • She takes photographs as the family wants and desires.
  • She keeps a labor & birth log tracking activities, feelings, progress, & procedures.
  • She provides a follow up visit and encourages her client to talk and share about the birth.
Disclaimer
The information contained on this website is of a general nature and is designed for educational purposes only. The information is not meant
to replace the recommendations or advice of your midwife or doctor. Please consult your midwife or doctor regarding your health care.
Notice: the photos on this site are
used by me with permission from
my clients, please out of respect,
do not copy or reproduce any of
these photos.  Thank You.
Mary E. Smits
A member of the
As a gift, I individually design digital scrapbook pages for
every one of my clients. Each one is created with my
client's personality in mind, and each has special moments,
memories, and tidbits pertaining to the labor and birth.
Mary E. Smits, CD, CBE
Certified Doula and Childbirth Educator
Childbirth International
920-759-0771  and  920-475-5313
As each one has
received a gift, minister
it to one another, as
good stewards of the
manifold grace of God.
1 Peter 4:10