What is a doula?
"...also known as a birth companion, birth coach or post-birth supporter, is a non-medical person who stays with and assists a woman before, during, or after childbirth, to provide emotional support and physical help if needed. They also may provide support to the mother's partner and family." ~Wikipedia
Greek root: a woman who serves
Greek root: a woman who serves
"Like travel guides in a foreign country, birth and postpartum doulas help support new families through the life changing experience of having a baby!" ~ DONA International
Types of Doulas
Birth Doula ~ They will meet with you beforehand to discuss your birth options & strategies for managing labor, and help you create a birth plan & prepare for the emotional & physical aspects of birth and immediate postpartum. They are available during your pregnancy for any questions and concerns you have. During labor, they will suggest and assist you with comfort measures such as laboring positions, heat pads, shower, massage, etc. They will know what your birth desires are and will help you to achieve those the best they can. If and when you hit snags in the road, they will help you know what options you have. They will support in the moments after birth as you breastfeed, deliver the placenta, clean up, and settle in for some rest. They are available in the early weeks after birth for questions, concerns, and breastfeeding support. (A doula does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment; make decisions for you; or promise a pain free labor & birth or specific health outcomes for mother or child.)
Postpartum Doulas ~ help ease the transition into a new family, aid in breastfeeding success & reduce and/or recognize the risk of mood disorders. They offer evidence-based information on infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from birth, infant soothing, and coping skills for new parents. They will also be able to make referrals to quality care providers & support groups. They are typically hired to come to your house after the baby is born and visit 1-2 times a week for 2-4 hour blocks of time to help assists with newborn care, daily adjustment, meal preparation, and light household chores and errands.
Bereavement Doulas ~ In the case of miscarriage, stillbirth, infant loss, detail diagnosis, or a rainbow baby bereavement birth doulas provide support prior to, during, and after birth in any trimester. Care would look similar to birth doulas and would include customized support. Bereavement doulas might also offer birth support to the family who has already suffered loss or a traumatic experience even with a healthy baby.
Postpartum Doulas ~ help ease the transition into a new family, aid in breastfeeding success & reduce and/or recognize the risk of mood disorders. They offer evidence-based information on infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from birth, infant soothing, and coping skills for new parents. They will also be able to make referrals to quality care providers & support groups. They are typically hired to come to your house after the baby is born and visit 1-2 times a week for 2-4 hour blocks of time to help assists with newborn care, daily adjustment, meal preparation, and light household chores and errands.
Bereavement Doulas ~ In the case of miscarriage, stillbirth, infant loss, detail diagnosis, or a rainbow baby bereavement birth doulas provide support prior to, during, and after birth in any trimester. Care would look similar to birth doulas and would include customized support. Bereavement doulas might also offer birth support to the family who has already suffered loss or a traumatic experience even with a healthy baby.
Benefits of a Doula
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The results of 2017 cochrane review showed that if a birthing person has continuous labor support (someone who never leaves their side), both mothers and babies are statistically more likely to have better outcomes! It found continuous support is beneficial in many ways, has no harmful effects, and also that the best results were found with doula care (supportive care from someone who is NOT part of the hospital staff and NOT part of the mom or partner's social network). |
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Overall, women who received continuous support experienced a:
- 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
More Q&As...
What is the difference between a doula and a midwife?
A midwife is a healthcare provider. They provide prenatal care throughout the pregnancy including lab work, exams and monitoring baby's growth. Midwives may serve in a hospital , birth center or provide homebirth. They see to the healthcare needs of the mother and growing baby and are present to catch the baby at birth. A doula supports the mom during labor. They come at the client's request to support by suggesting labor positions for pain relief, help prepare the labor space, guide the parents in advocating for themselves with hospital workers or midwives, and give general physical and emotional support to the client. Doulas are specially trained labor and birth coaches.
Can my partner be my doula?
Doulas do not replace partners but rather support the whole family unit. They can give you partner breaks to go to the bathroom, eat, and take care of themselves. Also, many partners have limited knowledge about birth, medical procedures, or what goes on in a hospital or homebirth. Doulas have this knowledge and experience use it to inform and support both the partner and birthing mother. Ideally, doulas and partners can work together to make up a labor support team.
Evidence Based Birth®: "Although continuous support can also be offered by birth partners, midwives, and nurses, or even some physicians, research has shown that with some outcomes, doulas have a stronger effect than other types of persons."
Can the nurses provide the labor support I need?
Evidence Based Birth conclusions from a study: "Nurses provide support when they can, but research has shown that labor and delivery nurses can only spend a limited amount of time in each client’s room. In one research study that took place in the U.S., nurses spent about 31% of a person’s labor in the room with them. The majority of the time that nurses were in the laboring person’s room, they were doing direct clinical care (such as administering medications or performing interventions), maintaining equipment, applying and assessing the electronic fetal monitor, or documenting at the computer. For 12% of each person’s labor, the nurse provided labor support including emotional, physical, or informational support, or advocacy. More experienced nurses were more likely to spend time providing emotional support." "Although continuous support can also be offered by birth partners, midwives, and nurses, or even some physicians, research has shown that with some outcomes, doulas have a stronger effect than other types of persons."
Do I need a doula if I'm having a home birth?
This is a personal preference. If you feel like you need support during early labor such as helping preparing the birth space, suggestions on pain relief, or someone to communicate with your midwife for you it would be wise to have a doula. If there is a need to transport to the hospital, the doula will stay with you during the transport and throughout the hospital experience.
When should I hire a doula?
Any time during pregnancy! It is better to do it sooner than later. Some doulas are booked quickly and you do want time to meet with the doula at least several weeks before the birth. But, if you're not looking into this until last minute, still call as many doulas will try to fit you into their schedule if at all possible. Also, you may need to meet with more than one doula to find the one that fits your needs! Here are some great tips when hiring a doula.
Do I need childbirth classes if I hire a doula?
You will still need to be educated about the birth process and postpartum care of you and baby and know how to manage labor and birth. Talk with your doula as she may provide this education or recommend a class. It is important for you to feel prepared which may involve taking more than one type of class. See our resources page to find more childbirth educators.
What is placenta encapsulation?
It is the practice of preparing the placenta into pill form to be taken internally by the mother. Although there is little scientific research conclusively supporting the effects, it is believed to have numerous health benefits. Some mothers choose to either freeze their placenta in case they decide to encapsulate it or bury it in yard under a new tree that is planted in honor of the new baby! Listen to Mama Natural on placentas here. Find a placenta encapsulator here.
