A doula is a non-clinical support person who walks alongside you during your pregnancy, labor and birth. DONA defines a doula as a “trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a mother before, during and shortly after childbirth to help her achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.”

A doula provides continuous care and constant support through pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum. They provide physical, emotional and partner support, as well as giving evidence-based information and advocating for their clients. Their primary responsibility is not to the hospital or a specific provider. It is to you, your partner and your family.

Birth doulas help through different stages of labor through comfort measures, breathing, relaxation, positioning and movement. They also provide encouragement and guidance to both the mother and her birthing partner. After the birth, they provide space to debrief the birthing experience. 

Postpartum doulas assist through the fourth trimester as mother and baby adjusting to life in a new role. They can assist with feeding, swaddling, soothing, bathing, sleeping, and diaper changes. They provide the partner valuable information on signs and symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety. They also provide a wealth of resources from lactation consultants to pediatricians to new moms groups. 

A doula does NOT provide medical care or make diagnoses. They do not do anything internal, including cervical exams or giving medications. Your doula does not make decisions for you or speak for you, but they will provide a listening ear about your goals and wishes and help you advocate for your birthing preferences. 

Most people hire a doula during the second or third trimester, but there is no bad time to hire a doula. Doulas can book months in advance so the earlier the better. They are also a great resource throughout your entire pregnancy for any questions that may come up- or even helping set up a baby registry!

There are so many benefits to hiring a doula! Just having someone in your corner to support and advocate for you is a huge advantage, but there have been numerous studies that outline the benefits of a doula including:

– Significant reductions in cesarean births, instrumental vaginal births, need for oxytocin augmentation and shorter duration of labor
– Higher Apgar scores
– Overall higher satisfaction with the birthing process by both the birthing person and partner
– Enhances and strengthens mother-infant bonding
– Improved breastfeeding at one month after birth
– Improved birth experience and reduced fear
– Facilitation of non-pharmacological pain relief medications during labor
– Better communication between pregnant people and their health care providers
– Smoother transition between maternity care and postpartum
– Facilitation of timely referrals to appropriate professionals and support groups
– Greater postpartum adjustment for both mother and partner
– Less postpartum depression and lower incidence of abuse