What does a doula do?

According to DONA International, a doula is 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.

According to me, a doula is a guide. A person who guides a woman into motherhood - helping her find the way that feels right to her. Not empowering them, but encouraging, supporting, comforting, and honoring them to use the power they were created with.

What is the difference between a midwife and a doula?

A Midwife is a health care provider, like an OB, who provides your prenatal care and delivers your baby. They provide all medical care, including labs, exams, and medical diagnosis.

A Doula is a childbirth coach or labor support person. We do not replace your OB or midwife, rather are a non-medical member of your birth team, offering education on birth options during your pregnancy, techniques for pain management and physical/emotional support during labor and birth, and support during the early postpartum days as you learn to breastfeed and navigate motherhood!

What are the benefits of birth doula care?

Women who are supported by a doula’s care are:

• less likely to need Pitocin to induce labor

• less likely to have a cesarean birth

• less likely to use any pain medication

• more likely to rate their childbirth experience positively

  **According to this Cochrane Review article.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ published data indicates that one of the most effective tools to improve labor and delivery outcomes is the continuous presence of support personnel, such as a doula. There were no measurable harms sited in this study.

My significant other and I want our birth to be fairly private. Would having a doula interfere with that?

Birth is a very personal experience and only you can decide who you are comfortable having in your birth space. But let me assure you that as your doula, I do not take the place of your spouse or significant other. I join together with y’all as a part of your team, and I will be as hands on as you both are comfortable with. If your spouse would like to be the one supporting you physically, but could use some help doing that, I am happy to educate them on techniques and offer suggestions and ways to support you well. If they are more anxious about being the main physical support person and would rather be mostly emotional support for you, I am happy to be the hip squeezing, rebozo sifting, affirmation whispering, massager that you need!