What is a doula?

The word doula came from the ancient Greek, which stands for “a women who serves” or “slave”. It is now used as a reference to a person who is professionally trained in providing physical, emotional, and informational support for expecting mothers and their partner during pregnancy, labor, and after birth. Some things they may help with are advice and comfort measures, relaxation, breathing, baths and showers, movements and positions, hot and/or cold packs/cloths, beverages and food, and other comfort gestures. Doulas will make sure that the birthing woman and their partner is well informed about the course of labor and what their options are. It is very crucial that they provide continuous emotional reassurance and comfort for the entire labor.

What are some benefits of having a doula?

·       Improved bonding time between mother and infant

·       Less likely to use pain medications

·       Decreased incidence of complications

·       Lower chances of having a cesarean section

·       Less likely to use synthetic oxytocin to speed up labor

·       Less likely to have interventions during labor

·       Less likely to rate their childbirth experience negatively

What makes a doula different from my doctors, midwives, and nurses?

Doctors, midwives, and nurses are medical providers whose primary responsibility is towards the mother and baby’s health and wellbeing. A doula primary responsibility is to ensure that the mother’s non-medical needs of labor is met. This means that doulas DOES NOT perform any clinical task such as vaginal exams, ultrasounds, listens to baby’s heart rate, check blood pressures, diagnose medical conditions, offer second opinions or give medical advice. Most importantly they do not make decisions on behalf of clients; does not let their own values and goals effect the laboring woman.

How is a doula’s support different from a partner’s support?

A doula is an additional support to the birthing person. They do not replace a woman’s partner (typically the baby’s father or another loved one), as a partner knows the woman best, offers long-term commitment, and love for her and her child. Both the doula and the partner supports the woman and complements each other’s strength.

When will you join me in labor?

I typically will join you in early active labor, unless you feel that you need my support earlier on. When you think you are in labor, you will call me, and we will then decide if you need me present right away or if we should wait for further changes. I will need approximately one hour to get to you from the time you call me, so communication is really important.

What happens if you are unavailable when I go into labor?

I will always try to be available, but in the event that I am not, I will have a back up doula in advance.

When should I hire a doula?

You can hire a doula at any point during your pregnancy. Ideally, you would start interviewing birth doulas and then during the third trimester, you’ll have chosen one to hire that best fits you.