What is a birth doula?

A birth doula is a trained professional who is dedicated to providing emotional, physical, and informational support to a birthing person and their partner before, during, and after birth.

Isn’t that my partner’s job?

Labor and birth is an exciting time for both you and your partner. It can also be intense, and overwhelming. A doula will not replace your partner, but will instead support both of you. A doula will support your partner with reassurance that labor is progressing normally, helping to guide them in supporting you more effectively, and maybe giving them a break while knowing you are still attended to and cared for. Another way to explain it is that a doula is like a golf caddy for birth. She knows the course and knows what tool to hand you to be successful.

Aren’t doulas just for people who want a medication-free birth, or home birth?

Absolutely not!

A doula will be extremely helpful should you choose to use an epidural or other pain medication. A doula can provide support at home before you go to the hospital and while you are waiting for your epidural to be placed. Once your epidural is placed, you will most likely be confined to the hospital bed and hooked up for continuous monitoring. A doula can help with relaxation techniques, informational support, and positioning to promote the progression of labor.

Doulas aren’t just for the crunchy crowd. We assist with the birth you want, no matter where that is. You don’t need to have your baby by a stream in your backyard to have a doula, but of course, we would fully support you if you wanted to!

What are the benefits of hiring a birth doula?

Hiring a trained birth doula has many benefits. Such as…

• 25% decrease in the risk of cesarean birth

• 8% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth

• 10% decrease in the use of pain relief medications

• 41 minutes shorter labor on average

• 38% decrease in risk of a low Apgar score at 5 minutes

• 31% decrease in risk of a dissatisfying birth experience.

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