What is a Birth Doula?

April 13, 2022

Whether it is your first or fifth child, every detail of your baby’s arrival is planned. From birthing strategy, birthing place, and managing labor pain. Here’s one more thing you may want to consider planning for; whether you want to hire a doula.

A doula is not just for expecting mothers, but rather the entire family – newborn included. Regardless of if you chose medical intervention or an unmedicated birth, they provide much needed care and support during the prenatal, birthing, and postpartum stages of childbirth. They act as much extra insurance to ensure you get the birthing experience you want.

So, what is a doula?

A doula is a trained and certified professional who provides emotional, physical and informational support to new and expectant parents before, during and after birth, and in the early postpartum period.

Think of a doula as a professional pregnancy companion whose goal is to help families have a safe, healthy, and positive labor experience.

What does a doula do?

By giving you the skills, support, and time, a doula allows you to focus on what matters most, your newborn family member. It’s their role to be a source of comfort, encouragement, and support – emotionally and physically – during the various stages of the birthing experience

They serve as a soothing voice of experience, help with relaxation techniques and breathing exercises, offer advice on labor positions, and so on. While doula’s do not have medical training, they may also act as a mediator and an advocate who’s there to run interference with hospital personnel, as well as translate medical terms and explain procedures.

Before your due date, your doula will guide you about the process of labor and delivery, with the goal of making it less scary and more comfortable so you’re empowered to take a more active role in your birth.

A doula can offer a treasure trove of non-medical pain-management techniques including [List Jill’s techniques here]. Everyone is unique, so they’ll try different combinations to find the right one for you.

Has there ever been a fear about doula’s acting as a third wheel/pushing the partner aside? I’ve seen them/midwives portrayed like that in shows. Perhaps we address this here?

What is the difference between a midwife and doula?

It’s a common misconception that doulas and midwives are the same. However, while similar, their educational backgrounds and responsibilities are different.

A midwife is classified as either a “certified nurse-midwife (CNM) or a certified midwife (CM). CNMs are medical professionals (like registered nurses) who have completed graduate-level programs in midwifery and are licensed and certified by the American College of Nurse-Midwives to practice throughout the U.S. and its territories,” according to Everyday Health Group.

CMs are also certified by the American College of Nurse-Midwives, but they do not have nursing backgrounds.

Both certified nurse-midwives and certified midwives are trained to care for low-risk pregnancies; including ordering tests, prescribing medications and providing routine gynecological care such as physical exams; and to handle deliveries without complications.

On the other hand, doulas, do not need a graduate-level education to practice their trade. They also do not need to be certified, though many are. The certification doula’s take is a minimum of 16 hours of instruction time, with an emphasis on practical, hands-on techniques, the history of birth, the benefits of hiring a doula, and the significance of doula support for families.

Doula’s do not perform medical procedures (which means they don’t deliver babies) and they do not prescribe medications. However, this allows doulas to focus on you as a person, and provide uninterrupted, and much needed, emotional support and guidance.

Even if you choose to see an OB/GYN or a midwife, you can also hire a doula since their responsibilities and roles differ.

What are the benefits of having a doula?

A doula offers support throughout pregnancy, labor, delivery and beyond.

Doctors or midwives may change shifts, and some may only be present during the final stages of birth. Doulas are with you during the prenatal stages and stay with you during the entire labor and delivery process. Once the baby is born, postpartum services are offered as well to help you emotionally recover and unpack the experience.

Here are just some statistics from Nightingale Night Nurses:

Reduce the risk of C-section by 25-39%
Increase likelihood of spontaneous vaginal birth by 8-15%
Reduce the use of pain medication in labor by 10%
Shorten labor by 41 minutes on average
Reduce the likelihood of a low 5-minute APGAR score by 38%
Reduce the risk of being dissatisfied with birthing experience by 31%

What services does a doula provide?

Every doula is unique, and processes differ slightly.

For New Roots doula, I offer:

Free Consultation: Consultation services that suite your lifestyle. They can be done in person, virtually, or over the phone.
Prenatal guidance by working with you to ease your discomfort through various techniques and assist in putting together a plan for birthing and postpartum.
Labor Support: Labor Support: Let’s face it, labor is scary. As your trained doula, I do not leave your side. I offer coping mechanisms to support you physically and emotionally.
Postpartum care by helping you establish a routine, emotionally unpack and process the birthing experience, and assist with light chores.

Is a doula for me?

At the end of the day, a doula acts as a coach, a mentor, an advisor, an advocate, and a friend, while you navigate the beautiful waters of childbirth.

Doulas can be a critical part of your journey if family is not nearby or present. A doula can step in for family members at hospitals during labor and delivery.

If want someone standing in your corner every step of the way — and you feel the need to have extra and personalized support outside of your medical team and family — then you may want a doula.