FAQ
What is a doula?
A doula is a non-medical professional who supports families throughout pregnancy, birth, and the early postpartum period. Doulas help bridge the gaps with uniquely tailored education and support so that both parents feel confident and ready to bring their baby into the world. This support will vary based on each family's individual needs, but generally includes:
Physical Support : comforting touch, counterpressure, positioning suggestions, hot and cold therapy, and more during labor; being present before, during, and immediately after a c-section
Emotional Support: continuous presence throughout labor, calming reassurance and verbal encouragement, active listening, empathy
Informational Support: helping families gather the information they need to make informed medical care decisions, knowledge of the birth process and procedures, active teaching throughout the professional relationship
Advocacy: facilitating communication with healthcare providers, asking questions, creating space for decision making, and supporting the family’s decisions
What does a doula NOT do?
-Does not perform clinical tasks such as vaginal exams or fetal heart monitoring
-Does not diagnose or offer medical advice
-Does not offer their own opinions
-Does not make decisions for the family
-Does not replace the father or other birth partners
-Does not deliver or "catch" the baby
What are the benefits of doula care?
Studies have shown a number of benefits correlated with doula support:
-25% decrease in the risk of Cesarean
-8% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth
-10% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief
-25% decrease in the overall length of labor
-38% decrease in the baby’s risk of a low five minute Apgar score
-31% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience
There are no negatives associated with continuous labor support!
Are doulas only for moms who want a natural birth?
There is a common misconception that doulas are only for families who are choosing to birth their babies naturally or without medications, but the truth is that professional doula support benefits families regardless of where or how they choose to give birth . A doula's calming presence, emotional support, knowledge of childbirth and medical procedures, and advocacy are useful even – perhaps especially – when women need or want an epidural, an induction, surgical birth, or other medical interventions. During c-sections, I bring a calming, comforting presence that supports both parents through the process.
Does a doula replace a dad or other birth partner?
Not at all! A doula's role complements and enhances a father's role. Having a doula enables a father to focus on the experience of labor by reducing stress and relieving common worries, such as failing the mother or trying to remember everything from your childbirth class. During labor, I frequently work together with dads to provide counterpressure or physical support and gently teach various techniques that are helpful at the time.
As your doula, I can be your primary support or help guide your partner in supporting you.
"Research has shown that the most positive birth experiences for fathers were ones where they had continuous support by a doula or a midwife. In the McGrath and Kennell study, the women and their partners who had a doula overwhelmingly rated the support of their doula as positive—with 93% rating their experience with the doula as very positive, and 7% as positive. In other studies, fathers have said that when they had labor support from a midwife or doula, things were explained to them, their questions were answered, their labor support efforts were guided and effective, and they could take breaks from the emotional intensity of the labor without abandoning their laboring partner (Johansson, 2015)."
source
Why do I need a doula when I will have a labor & delivery nurse?
A doula provides continuous care throughout your labor and birth, and works directly for you with a pre-established relationship. Nurses provide critical support and knowledge during birth, but are not able to be constantly present throughout your labor because they have other clinical duties to perform. When you hire a doula, you will have continuous support from someone you know and trust.
What is a doula?
A doula is a non-medical professional who supports families throughout pregnancy, birth, and the early postpartum period. Doulas help bridge the gaps with uniquely tailored education and support so that both parents feel confident and ready to bring their baby into the world. This support will vary based on each family's individual needs, but generally includes:
Physical Support : comforting touch, counterpressure, positioning suggestions, hot and cold therapy, and more during labor; being present before, during, and immediately after a c-section
Emotional Support: continuous presence throughout labor, calming reassurance and verbal encouragement, active listening, empathy
Informational Support: helping families gather the information they need to make informed medical care decisions, knowledge of the birth process and procedures, active teaching throughout the professional relationship
Advocacy: facilitating communication with healthcare providers, asking questions, creating space for decision making, and supporting the family’s decisions
What does a doula NOT do?
-Does not perform clinical tasks such as vaginal exams or fetal heart monitoring
-Does not diagnose or offer medical advice
-Does not offer their own opinions
-Does not make decisions for the family
-Does not replace the father or other birth partners
-Does not deliver or "catch" the baby
What are the benefits of doula care?
Studies have shown a number of benefits correlated with doula support:
-25% decrease in the risk of Cesarean
-8% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth
-10% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief
-25% decrease in the overall length of labor
-38% decrease in the baby’s risk of a low five minute Apgar score
-31% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience
There are no negatives associated with continuous labor support!
Are doulas only for moms who want a natural birth?
There is a common misconception that doulas are only for families who are choosing to birth their babies naturally or without medications, but the truth is that professional doula support benefits families regardless of where or how they choose to give birth . A doula's calming presence, emotional support, knowledge of childbirth and medical procedures, and advocacy are useful even – perhaps especially – when women need or want an epidural, an induction, surgical birth, or other medical interventions. During c-sections, I bring a calming, comforting presence that supports both parents through the process.
Does a doula replace a dad or other birth partner?
Not at all! A doula's role complements and enhances a father's role. Having a doula enables a father to focus on the experience of labor by reducing stress and relieving common worries, such as failing the mother or trying to remember everything from your childbirth class. During labor, I frequently work together with dads to provide counterpressure or physical support and gently teach various techniques that are helpful at the time.
As your doula, I can be your primary support or help guide your partner in supporting you.
"Research has shown that the most positive birth experiences for fathers were ones where they had continuous support by a doula or a midwife. In the McGrath and Kennell study, the women and their partners who had a doula overwhelmingly rated the support of their doula as positive—with 93% rating their experience with the doula as very positive, and 7% as positive. In other studies, fathers have said that when they had labor support from a midwife or doula, things were explained to them, their questions were answered, their labor support efforts were guided and effective, and they could take breaks from the emotional intensity of the labor without abandoning their laboring partner (Johansson, 2015)."
source
Why do I need a doula when I will have a labor & delivery nurse?
A doula provides continuous care throughout your labor and birth, and works directly for you with a pre-established relationship. Nurses provide critical support and knowledge during birth, but are not able to be constantly present throughout your labor because they have other clinical duties to perform. When you hire a doula, you will have continuous support from someone you know and trust.
