Nolan M
Mod Midwife. 1995 Mar;5(3):12-5.
A doula is a woman without medical experience who guides and assists a new mother in childbirth and babycare tasks. The doula's role is to hold the woman, breathe with her, smile at her and provide encouragement and reassurance. Doula support for the labouring woman may reduce catecholamine levels, thus shortening the duration of labour. Doula support can increase self-esteem in the labouring woman and facilitate her transition to motherhood. Rates of oxytocin augmentation, epidural anaesthesia and caesarean section can be reduced by doula support. Fathers may find it hard to provide doula-type support during labor because of their own emotional involvement in the birth. The introduction of doulas into labour wards could lead to reduced costs for maternity services.
导乐是指没有医学经验的女性，她们在分娩和照顾婴儿的过程中指导并协助初为人母的女性。导乐的职责是拥抱产妇，与她一起呼吸，对她微笑，并给予鼓励和安慰。为正在分娩的女性提供导乐支持可能会降低儿茶酚胺水平，从而缩短分娩时间。导乐支持可以增强正在分娩的女性的自尊心，并促进她向母亲角色的转变。导乐支持可以降低催产素增加、硬膜外麻醉和剖宫产的发生率。由于父亲在分娩过程中自身情绪的影响，他们可能很难提供导乐式的支持。将导乐引入产房可以降低产科服务的成本。
