Doula decreases the risk of postpartum depression
Lately, the role of the doulas has become fashionable because of their fundamental work in providing information, support, both physical and emotional, and trust during childbirth and the puerperium. Doulas are women who accompany other women on the road to motherhood.
The role of doulas should not be confused with that of midwives, since they do not have specific academic preparation. His training includes knowledge on the physiology of pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium, childcare, breastfeeding, prenatal education, psychology and emotional intelligence, among others.
The contradictory feelings of motherhood
In general, today women face maternity without close referents, within a society in which motherhood is superficialized. Often, the only reference that women have is the mothers themselves or specialized magazines, in which a more idyllic image is usually offered. However, deep and real feelings such as postpartum sadness or postpartum depression when they have just had their baby are overlooked.
It should not be forgotten that pregnancy produces many other contradictory feelings: on the one hand, the immense joy that is the news of pregnancy, is associated with other feelings of fear, insecurity about the moment, the ability to get ahead, frustrations by births that were not as emotional as expected, difficult or unsuccessful breastfeeding, and in general, bewilderment for present feelings, but that seem absolutely unrelated to what society teaches us.
The doulas emerge, along with other support groups (breastfeeding groups, especially), to retake this support network among women, recover the reality of motherhood as a life crisis in a woman's life, and recover space and position what's up? They will be responsible for ensuring the welfare of the mother and achieving a reduction in anxiety levels that helps reduce the risk of postpartum depression, a greater likelihood of successful breastfeeding and the generation of a stronger bond between mom and baby .
Sheila Tabernero. Author of the Blog of a pregnant woman, who is already a mom
