What is a doula and why do you need one?

Written By Stephanie Evard

Having a baby is a transformative experience. While medical professionals focus on the clinical aspects of birth, a doula provides continuous emotional, physical, and informational support to the birthing person and their partner. The key word here is CONTINUOUS. Your nurse has other patients to support, and your OB only pops in periodically. During shift changes, they’re replaced with new people who get to know you via a chart. Your doula is there with you the whole time. She knows you and your birth wishes and is ready to support you through the entire birth experience. 

What is a Doula?

A doula is a trained professional who provides non-medical support during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. Doulas are not medical professionals and do not replace doctors or midwives. Their role is to offer comfort, encouragement, and guidance.

What Does a Doula Do?

Doulas offer a range of support:

Emotional Support

  • Providing reassurance and encouragement.

  • Helping to create a calm and supportive birthing environment.

  • Offering emotional presence throughout labor.

Physical Support

  • Suggesting comfort measures like massage, positioning changes, and breathing techniques.

  • Applying counter pressure and providing physical support during labor.

  • Helping with relaxation and pain management strategies.

Informational Support

  • Providing evidence-based information about labor, birth, and postpartum.

  • Helping the birthing person understand their options and make informed decisions.

  • Offering resources and referrals as needed.

Why Do You Need a Doula?

Having a doula can significantly enhance the birthing experience. Here are some benefits:

Increased Satisfaction with Birth Experience

  • Studies have shown that people who have doula support report higher satisfaction with their birth experience. 

Reduced Medical Interventions

  • Doula support has been linked to a decrease in the need for medical interventions, such as cesarean sections - studies have shown a 39% decrease with a doula! 

Shorter Labor

  • Doula support can contribute to shorter labor, as emotional and physical support can help labor progress more efficiently.

Partner Support

  • Doulas also support the birthing person's partner, providing them with breaks, offering guidance, and helping them to feel more involved and confident.

Postpartum Support

  • Some doulas offer postpartum support, helping with newborn care, breastfeeding, and emotional adjustment after birth.

This is just a snippet of what doulas can provide. I had a doula at both of my births and their experience was invaluable. My husband and I had no idea what to do or expect with our first baby and our doula was so kind and reassuring. She held my leg while my husband held the other through 2.5 hours of pushing. I will never forget that experience I had with her! 

Trust me, you need a doula at your birth! 

Stephanie Evard