The term doula, originally from the Greek word meaning “woman’s servant,” is used today to describe a professional who provides women with emotional and physical support during pregnancy, labor, birth and the postpartum period. Doulas are known by many names, including: Birth Coach, Childbirth Assistant, Labor Support Professional, Birth Assistant, Birth Companion, etc.
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 malpositioned 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 spouse, 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.
A birth doula provides a listening ear for the emotional process of pregnancy, physical comfort suggestions during pregnancy and labor and informational support for both the laboring mom and her partner. The doula is knowledgeable about the entire birth process, possesses skills to help a laboring person cope with the physical experience and emotions of birth and understands the importance of this life event. The doula will provide support for mom and baby by helping mom formulate questions, gather information, and discuss the options available with the medical staff. The doula will not perform clinical tasks or give medical advice, and will never make decisions on behalf of a woman. A Doula will always respect that it is up to the laboring individual to make the informed choice that is best for her body and her baby. Most importantly, the doula uses her skills to complement those of the woman’s support person and medical providers, helping to ensure a satisfying birth memory.
All families benefit with a birth doula on their team!
The earlier the better! The ideal time to hire a doula is as early in your pregnancy as possible. This allows both you and the doula to get to know one another and to discuss your plans for your pregnancy, labor, and birth as long as needed. Although the benefits of having a doula for your birth will be the same whether you contact her at 6 weeks or at 39 weeks, the difference in finding your doula early in pregnancy is that you’ll have someone you know that you can call on with questions like “Is this normal?” or “What's happening?” calls, texts and emails throughout your pregnancy. The longer you have known your doula, the more of a relationship you build. There are always benefits to trying to find a doula, even if you were past your due date. While your choices may be more limited due to call schedules that are already filled, it is certainly worth the effort to ask. Many doulas may have free space in their calendars because of previous clients that have already delivered. Or there may be an option of using a doula in training if no one else is available.
Doulas, midwives, doctors and nurses all take on separate and unique roles in supporting birth. Each one is important part of the birth team, and all work together to help the laboring woman have a healthy and positive experience. The nurse is responsible for charting, monitoring, and reporting to the doctor or midwife, sometimes for several patients at once. Ob's and midwives are highly trained as medical experts, and are responsible for monitoring the safety of the mother and baby during labor and delivery. A doula remains as a constant presence throughout labor, focusing entirely on providing comfort for the laboring mom and her partner. A doula’s job is not to replace any part of the medical team, but to complement their roles by providing constant support and information to the mom and her support person.
It's wonderful for a laboring woman to have the presence of others who love her. A doula will enhance the support that others will provide, without being intrusive. Often, your doula has a level of knowledge and experience that your support person may not. The role of the doula is never to take the place of husbands or support person in labor. Today, more husbands play an active role in the birth process. However, some support persons prefer to enjoy the delivery without having to stand in as the labor coach. By having a doula as a part of the birth team, the support person is free to do whatever he chooses. Doulas can encourage the father to use comfort techniques and can step in if he wants a break. Having a doula allows the father to support the mom emotionally during labor and birth and to also enjoy the experience without the added pressure of trying to remember everything he learned in childbirth class! Additionally, mothers, fathers, grandmothers, and dear friends each have their own emotional response to seeing someone experience labor, and to welcoming this new child into their lives. A doula will respect that this is a special moment for each person, and will gently provide encouragement, information and reassurance that will help a woman’s loved ones offer their support in a way that also respects the laboring woman’s needs.
Yes! I encourage you to choose what is right for your labor. We won't judge you.
Yes! I do take clients who are having a VBAC as long as your doctor or midwife is supporting your VBAC, I will take you on as a client.
Yes I support clients who are getting a c-section. I can help you get answers to your questions and formulate a birth plan for a cesarean. Offer other resources like educational classes on a c-section.
During the period before surgery, I can help explain procedures to you and help you get answers to any questions that you have. Like I would during a normal labor setting. Also can help you manage painful procedures like the administration of an IV or even the spinal or an epidural for your surgery.
Once inside the operating room, I will assist you in knowing what is going on by giving you details to help better understand any questions you need answered. I will be at your side at all times if thats what you desire.
During the postpartum period, I can suggest post-operative comfort measures. Assist you with any breastfeeding questions you may have or special help you or your baby may require with breastfeeding. Also I can help with reminding the staff about your birth plan and special needs you may have.Even if im not allowed in the operating room, there are still many things on this list that I can do to help you and your support person before the baby's birth, and after.
Numerous studies have documented the benefits of having a doula present during labor. A recent Cochrane Review states, "Continuous Support for Women During Childbirth, showed a very high number of positive birth outcomes when a doula was present. With the support of a doula, women were less likely to have pain-relief medications administered and less likely to have a cesarean birth. Women also reported having a more positive childbirth experience."
Other 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 by 40%, and requests for an epidural by 60%.
Mothers feel more secure and cared for. Are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics. Have greater self-confidence, more positive assessments of their babies have less postpartum depression
Their spouse,support person have more confidence in their ability to assist in the birth babies have shorter hospital stays with fewer admissions to special care nurseries breastfeed longer. Have a better mother-infant connection and bond
labor and birth are shorter. Have fewer complications and require less need for forceps or vacuum extractions.
After birth I provide support in the first weeks. I provide emotional support by encouraging a mother when she feels overwhelmed. I provide informational support about feeding and caring for the baby.
Additional fees will apply for physical support.
Provide physical support by cleaning, cooking meals, and filling in when a new mother needs a break for six weeks after birth.
The cost of a doula varies by doula & it depends on the service package you choose. Cost can range from $500 to $3,500, with the average cost around $1,200. Some doulas charge by the hour, I dont unless im in the birthing room over 12 hours additional fees can apply. I mostly have a flat fee. Our services include prenatal visits, labor and delivery, and a post-delivery follow-up. To learn more about cost and services. I offer a free consultation we can go over services packages and cost during that time. I have promotions so make sure you subscribe and follow my socail media links in the contact section. While having a doula may be an out-of-pocket expense for you, some insurance companies will cover some or all of the cost depending on your plan. Call your insurance company's benefits department to get details. You may have to pay the doula first, get a detailed receipt and then submit a claim for reimbursement. I cannot guarantee reimbursement through your insurance company.