Does a doula interfere with the fathers role in the birth?
The doula helps the father/womans partner feel comfortable and confident by making sure his needs are met (food, drink, reassurance, etc.). The doula encourages the father to participate at his own comfort level. She also shows him what he can do to help. This makes it so the woman and her partner can work more closely together. Some partners prefer to be there only to witness the birth of their child and to share this experience with the woman they love. They may not want to play an active role and do not want to be responsible for the woman’s comfort and emotional security. The doula can fill in and allow the partner to participate as he wishes, without leaving the woman’s needs unmet. When the partner chooses to be the major source of emotional support, the doula can supplement his or her efforts by running errands, making suggestions for comfort measures, and offering words of reassurance and comfort. During a long, tiring labor, she can give the partner a break for a brief rest or
