What Is a Doula?

Often, I Get asked…. “What is a doula?” 

A question that I started finding myself answering to.

Many of momma’s to be that know what is A Doula can’t wait  to find “their doula” and hire them to be part of their birth team and forever part of their baby’s birth story.

On the Contrary the momma’s to be that does not know what A doula is are searching high and low for the meaning of a doula , the advantages and disadvantages  of having a doula and if it is really worth the expense.

The word doula is derived from the greek word meaning ‘female slave;’ however, in the context of modern society, doulas include people of widely varying identities; and, while some offer volunteer services, others are paid large fees for their services.

Thus, the semantics of doula have evolved to mean a support person who works with people and families in their reproductive journeys, lending physical and emotional comfort, reassurance, information, and presence, usually through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

In our modern society A doula is a trained professional birth worker with knowledge and experience to guide families through the monumental life changing experience of having a baby.

A doula will give you non-judgmental support, evidence-based information, and be an advocate for you throughout your journey to parenthood.

 I will Cover two types of Doulas in which I very familiar with;

 A Birth Doula and A Postpartum Doula

What is a Birth Doula?

A birth doula will support you from the end of your pregnancy, through labor, and until the baby has arrived. During the third trimester, they will help you prepare for birth by creating a birth plan, plan your hospital bag, and more. They will come to your home once you are in labor to help you labor at home until you are ready to go to the hospital or birth center. Finally, they will join you at the hospital to support you until the baby has arrived!

What is a Postpartum Doula?

 A Postpartum doula will support you during the end of your pregnancy and once the baby is born. During the third trimester, they will help you prepare for postpartum. Once the baby is born they will join you at home and guide you through newborn hood with their knowledge of newborn care, breastfeeding, bottle feeding, baby sleep cycles, help with simple meal prep, light house work, and more. Postpartum doulas can work both during the day or at night.

What are the Benefits of a Doula?

There are so many benefits to hiring a doula! For birth, APA studies have shown that having a doula as a member of the birth team decreases the overall cesarean rate by 50%, the length of labor by 25%, the use of oxytocin (Pitocin) by 40%, requests for an epidural by 60%, and families are 66% more likely to have an overall greater satisfaction with birth.

For postpartum doulas, studies have shown that families who hire a postpartum doula are more likely to have success breastfeeding and are less likely to struggle with postpartum depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. While much of PPD and PPA are hormonal, some aspects are linked to stress, lack of sleep, and other external pressures. A postpartum doula has the experience to help identify mood disorders, as well as the resources to get the family the help they need.

Why do I need a Doula If I have a Partner?

Having a doula on your birth team in addition to your partner is often helpful for a few reasons. A doula is a trained birth worker who has the experience and knowledge to guide you and your partner through birth and postpartum. It may also be hard you’re your partner or parent to see you in pain and they might have a hard time supporting you the way you need it; a doula will not be phased by the effects of labor the way your partner might. Doulas will have more experience in birth and newborn care than your husband or your parent will. A doula’s only focus is you and your baby; everyone else in the room has other jobs and responsibilities.

What do birth doulas offer?

 Physical Support

Position ideas for comfort and labor progression cross over with hands-on comfort measures like comforting touch, counter pressure, breathing techniques and other “doula magic” for families. A doula’s skilled hands and positioning tools can often help a mispositioned baby find its way through the pelvis and into the birthing parent’s arms.

Emotional Support

Doulas help families to feel supported, easing the emotional experience of birth and also helping to create a space where the hormones of labor can work at their best. Whether a birth is completely unmedicated or medically very complex, every family can benefit from nurturing and connection at this tender, incredible time in their lives.

Partner Support

Whether it’s a romantic partner, a friend or another family member like the baby’s grandma, the birth partner’s experience matters in birth. Doulas are there to support every birth partner in being as involved as they’d like with the birth. Physical and emotional support make a huge difference for everyone involved.

Evidence-Based Information and Advocacy

DONA International doulas are trained to help families connect with evidence-based resources so they can ask great questions and make informed decisions about their births. Our doulas serve as a bridge of communication between their client and their providers, lifting them up to help them find their voices and advocate for the very best care.

All families benefit with a birth doula on their team!