Why Hire a Doula?
And What Does a Doula Do?

Maybe you're sure you want a doula, maybe not. Or maybe you are sure, but your partner is not. Or maybe both of you aren't sure... 

For the birth of my first child, I couldn't decide if I wanted to hire a doula. I was worried about finding the right person. And then I wondered that even if I found the right person, would it be too crowded with a doula? Would I feel inhibited, watched, or judged? And what about the cost, would it be worth it? As it turned out, hiring a doula was one of the best decisions I made regarding the births of both of my kids. My doula provided helpful tips during labor, coached me during contractions to control my breath, and helped me know when to call the midwife. She was an excellent helper after birth, holding the baby during my immediate postpartum care so that the rest of my team could focus on my care, she my hand when I needed it, made food for us, ran an errand, took photos, kept things tidy and organized, and overall kept everything together so that we could focus our energy on me and the baby.

I believe the experience of the birth process is vitally important. The state of your physical and emotional wellness during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period can have lingering effects – positive or negative – depending on the nature of your experience. A doula absolutely has the ability and the capacity to support and guide you and your partner towards a positive, empowering, and memorable experience. Whether or not you have been looking forward to this day of giving birth for years, or whether it's something you're hoping to get through and get over with as swiftly as possible - or something in between - your doula is there is there to facilitate the process. I truly believe that strong, fulfilled parents make for stronger and healthier societies.

That's my anecdotal evidence for you. I recommend asking around from friends and other trusted women who gave birth, and find out whether or not they used a doula and why. Doulas are an Evidence-Based practice, and in the words of John H. Kennel, MD, "If doulas were a drug, it would be unethical not use it."
 

Research shows that with a
doula, women in labor are:

• 28% less likely to have a cesarean section

• 31% less likely to use synthetic oxytocin to speed labor

• 9% less likely to use any pain medication

• 34% less like to rate their childbirth experience negatively

Articles on the Benefits of Having a Doula:

Evidence on: Doulas

Research and Evidence on Doulas

Best Evidence: Doulas and Labor Support

NPR: Doula Support for Pregnant Women Could Improve Care, Reduce Costs

The Obstetrical and Postpartum Benefits of Continuous Support During Childbirth

Impact of Doulas on Healthy Birth Outcomes

What exactly does a doula do? A doula...

• Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother or birthing person will remember all their life

• Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman or person in labor

• Assists the person/woman in preparing for and carrying out their plans for birth

• Stays with the birthing family throughout the labor

• Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the family get the information they need to make informed decisions

• Facilitates communication between the laboring person, the partner and the clinical care providers

• Perceives their role as nurturing and protecting the memory of the birth experience

• Allows the partner to participate at his/her comfort level

And lastly, if you want more info on what a doula does and how they can support you during labor, please watch the two videos below: Evidence Based Birth’s “Pain Management: Using a Doula for Pain Relief,” and DONA's video, "The Essential Ingredient: Doula."

Now that you know all the reasons to hire a doula, maybe you’re ready to start meeting some! While I am no longer offering doula services, I am happy to make recommendations and connect you to the wonderful doulas I know. I offer birth options sessions to assist you in identifying what you are looking for in a doula, as well as your parameters. If you’d like help selecting a doula, please reach out to set up a session with me.