Reasons families hire Doulas:

FAQs

What is a doula?

A doula is a trained professional who provides support to the birthing person and their partner before, during, and after childbirth, to help them achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.

What does a doula do?

• Offers physical, emotional, and informational support prenatally, during birth, and postpartum

• Uses evidence based information to answer questions and provide education

• Listens to, respects, and advocates for, the birthing person’s hopes, wishes, and preferences surrounding birth and postpartum

• Can help make a birth and postpartum plan

• Offers continuous in-person support during labor

• Suggests comfort measures during labor like breathing/relaxation techniques, massage, counter pressure, position changes, heat/cold, and aromatherapy. Doulas have a wealth of knowledge to share and put into practice to support the natural flow labor. They have many tools and techniques to support the comfort of the birthing person, as well as aid in the decent of baby.

• Helps create and preserve the birth space (ie. dimming lights, protecting privacy, keeping noise down, music, helps other family members)

• After birth, tends to the needs of the family (bonding, feeding, hygiene etc) and supports the family for up to 6 weeks postpartum

Is there anything a doula DOES NOT do?

Doulas do not give medical advice, replace your Doctor or Midwife, catch the baby, perform clinic tasks like checking dilation or blood pressure, speak or make decisions for the client, take over the role of the partner, or pressure the client into making decisions.

How do doulas help the partner?

The experience of the partner/support people matters, and doulas help by giving breaks when needed, answering their questions, and suggesting ways to help the birthing person during labor. A doula encourages and reassures the partner throughout the labor and birth process so that they can better focus on helping the birthing person.

Is there any research about the affect of doulas on birth outcomes?

In 2017, Bohren et al. published an updated Cochrane review on the use of continuous support for women during childbirth. They combined the results of 26 trials that included more than 15,000 people. The researchers found that overall, people who have continuous support during childbirth in the form of a doula had:

• 39% decrease in the risk of Cesarean

• 15% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth

• 10% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief

• 31% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience

How is a doula different from a labor & delivery nurse?

In addition to caring for their assigned client, nurses have many other responsibilities, like communicating with care providers, performing clinical tasks, assessing and monitoring the mother and babe, setting up and gathering equipment, going on and covering breaks, and often there may be a change of shift involved. Doulas remain with the client continuously, are very attuned to the birthing person’s needs, and often have a deeper connection with the family. Doulas respect and work with the birth team, including the other healthcare professionals, to help the birthing person have a positive and empowering experience.

How much does a doula typically cost?

Depending on the experience of the doula and services offered, doulas can cost anywhere between $500-$2000.