Why get a Doula?

What does a doula do?

• Answer your questions about what to expect and eases your fears before labor

• Discussing and healing from previous births

• Provides resources that you may find helpful during and after your pregnancy

• Helps you develop a birth plan, and advocates for the type of birth you're hoping to have

• Prepares your space and mind for the arrival of your baby

• Give you continuous undivided one-on-one support during labor

• Suggests various birthing positions during labor, and helps you with breathing through contractions by assisting and providing encouraging words and massage

• Explains what's happening during labor

• Encourages you to communicate your wants and needs to your healthcare providers, including your OB or midwife and your labor and delivery nurses

• Guides your support person on the best ways to help you through labor and postpartum

• Assists you immediately after you give birth, providing information on newborn care and breastfeeding guidance

Are doulas only useful if planning an unmedicated birth?

• The presence of a doula can be beneficial no matter what type of birth you are planning. Many women report needing fewer interventions when they have one. The primary role of the doula is to help mothers have a safe and pleasant birth–not to help them choose the type of birth.

• For women who have decided to have a medicated birth, the doula will provide emotional, informational, and physical support through labor and the administration of medications. Doulas work alongside medicated mothers to help them deal with potential side effects. Doulas may also help with other needs where medication may be inadequate because even with medication, there is likely to be some degree of discomfort.

• For a mother facing a cesarean, a doula can be helpful by providing constant support and encouragement. Often a cesarean results from an unexpected situation leaving a mother feeling unprepared, disappointed, and lonely. A doula can be attentive to the mother at all times throughout the cesarean, letting her know what is going on throughout the procedure. This can free the partner to attend to the baby and accompany the newborn to the nursery if there are complications.

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What about the father’s role when using a doula?

• The role of the doula is never to take the place of husbands or partners in labor, but rather to complement and enhance their experience.​

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• Having a doula allows the father to support his partner emotionally during labor and birth and to also enjoy the experience without the added pressure of trying to remember everything he learned in childbirth class!

How do I know if I should hire a doula?

 Here are some more reasons you may want to hire a doula. 

• ensure an experienced birth assistant will be with you throughout labor.

• you want support and guidance through out labor for you and your support person

• you want someone to understand your traditions and culture in the room with you

• You prefer not to invite family in the room as your support system

• You're hoping to have an unmedicated birth and want support with navigating pain

• You find it difficult or anxiety-inducing to communicate with hospital staff, especially if it involves asking for alternative options or reasoning behind why a healthcare provider is recommending something. A birth doula can be your advocate.

• You want to be able to discuss the birth with someone afterward who has witnessed it, and can help you mentally debrief and process what happened. This can be especially helpful if you've had a traumatic or difficult birth experience in the past.

• You want additional advocacy if you feel distrustful of medical systems

• You're giving birth without a partner and want a support system in the room

Want to Know More?

• Mothering the Mother: How a Doula can help you have a shorter, easier, and healthier birth by Marshall H. Klaus, Phyllis H. Klaus, and John Kennell.

• ​The Doula Book by Marshall H. Klaus, John Kennell, and Phyllis H. Klaus.

• The Doula Advantage by Rachel Gurevich.