It seems lately that doulas have begun to explode in popularity. This means you have probably heard of them, but also may be wondering exactly they do. I am here to shed light on this subject for you! Today we will go over what a doula does, different types, why they are important, why you might want to hire one, and where to begin in hiring one.
What is a Doula?
Simply put, a doula is a person who has been professionally trained to support women throughout preconception, pregnancy, birth and postpartum.
I like to say that they have four main responsibilities:
- Education: Provides in-depth answers to the questions that mothers may have. This allows mothers to be fully informed in their fertility journey, so that they have true informed consent and the right to make the best choices for themselves and their families.
- Support: Supports mothers throughout different stages of motherhood, whether this is in pre-conception, prenatally, childbirth, or even in grief.
- Advocacy: Advocate of the mother’s wishes while she is in labor, ensuring the mother is given true informed consent and the autonomy to make her own decisions over her and her baby’s bodies.
- Space Holder: Holds space for mothers throughout the motherhood journey, understanding birth as a rite of passage in which the birthing woman moves from maiden to mother, or mother to mother of 2 (or 3… or 4… or 5…)
Doulas are most commonly known for supporting women in the type of birth that they desire. If a mother desires to have a natural birth, they aid in fostering an environment that supports a physiological birth. They are also very knowledgeable in comfort measures and labor positions which may help guide mom and baby gently through the labor process.
They can also provide support for the birth partner, who may not quite know what to expect or how to support in the labor process. This can be key, especially if things do not go according to plan and the partner is struggling to watch someone they love going through a difficult process.
Different Types
Believe it or not, there are many different types of doulas out there. Some, like me, specialize in many different areas of support, while others focus on one area of support in the motherhood journey. Let’s dive into what types of motherhood support is available to you!
- Birth Doula: This would be the most commonly known supporting role for birth. They begin supporting mothers a few weeks before the birth of their babies, and complete support a week or two following the birth of a baby. Their main job is to support laboring women and advocate for her wishes.
- Postpartum Doula: Provides support to mother and baby in the weeks following birth. They are able to assist mothers with breastfeeding, stay overnight so mothers can sleep, care for the infant, cook meals, do laundry, help siblings transition, etc. They can help ease a mother’s transition as she has a new baby.
- Antepartum Doulas: Available to help mothers during high-risk pregnancies. Typically they are available to mother’s put on bedrest, who need extra help around the house. They also provide emotional support, and can assist with many needs that a mother may have.
- Family Life Doula: Assists in the introduction of a newborn into the family’s new life. This can include helping siblings and all parents adjust during this season of life.
- Fertility doula: Provides emotional, physical, and educational support to parents in the preconception phase. They can teach couples fertility awareness, provide nutritional counseling, and help couples navigate options, whether just beginning on their conception journey, or struggling through the fertility process.
Why Doulas are Important?
Evidence Based Birth summarized their importance through these statistics:
- 25% decrease in the risk of Cesarean; the largest effect was seen with a doula (39% decrease)
- 8% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth; the largest effect was seen with a doula (15% increase)
- 10% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief; the type of person providing continuous support did not make a difference
- Shorter labors by 41 minutes on average; there is no data on if the type of person providing continuous support makes a difference
- 38% decrease in the baby’s risk of a low five minute Apgar score; there is no data on if the type of person providing continuous support makes a difference
- 31% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience; mothers’ risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience was reduced with continuous support provided by a doula or someone in their social network (family or friend), but not hospital staff
This study, from which Evidence-Based Birth got these statistics, also shows how doulas provide support in childbirth, proving that women with birth support were far more likely to have spontaneous vaginal birth, and far-less likely to experience birth trauma. For mothers desiring an unmedicated birth, they were far more likely to achieve this with a doula supporting them. With a doula offering support, women will also have a decreased risk of postpartum depression, as birth trauma and isolation are both decreased, and space is held where it needs to be held.
Doulas play an important role in any type of birth, whether this is a free birth, epidural birth, or even a planned cesarean.
While birth is absolutely wild and unpredictable, a good doula can influence it in a positive way, no matter the outcome, though statistically they do enhance outcomes for the better.
Hiring a Doula
If women desire a deep support in labor from someone who understands the in’s and out’s of the birth process, a doula is an excellent option.
Doulas are filled with knowledge about various birth scenarios, and are educated on how to support women no matter what their needs are.
Even if a mother desires to gain more knowledge about birth, and she can’t get enough information from a short doctor’s appointment, a doula is an excellent place to start.
It is important to note that not all doulas are made equal. While one may trust in the innate wisdom of birth, others may not trust it.
It is important that you interview several doulas in order to find the right one to support your needs.
Some may offer a full spectrum of services from pre-conception through postpartum. Others may only offer services from 36 weeks till 2 weeks following birth. Others may only offer overnight postpartum services.
It is very important to assess your personal needs and match with a doula who meets these needs. If you ever get the sense that a doula is trying to be a hero that saves you from yourself, run the other direction.
A good doula is one who trusts in your mind and body, knowing that you are completely capable of making the best decisions for yourself.
Recap
Hiring a doula is an amazing job and could make a huge difference and the experience that parents have in the birthing process.
They can help throughout the fertility journey, pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and beyond.
They educate, advocate, support and hold space for those that they care for.
It is important to assess your own needs before hiring one, and make sure that you two are aligned in thoughts. You want someone who trusts your wishes completely, and will advocate for these wishes to the best of her abilities.
Let me know below what your experience with your doula was like.
Want to learn more about pregnancy? Check out all my posts on pregnancy here!
