What is a doula?
A birth doula is someone who attends a labor and birth to provide emotional, physical, and informational support to a birthing person and their support people. They typically spend time with the birther/partners during pregnancy and postpartum as well.
A postpartum doula typically takes care of a family with a new baby in the weeks and months following the new one’s arrival. They offer support by visiting the home, cooking nourishing meals, doing laundry, providing emotional and technical support as it relates to new/renewed parenthood, and attending to any other household-y tasks that the birther/supporters are unable to do.
There are as many traditions for how to support pregnant and birthing people as there are cultures in the world. As such, there are innumerable names, roles, and expectations of those who attend birthers peripartum. I currently use the term “Doula” to describe the work I do, because that is what has been given to me and feels easily identifiable to those seeking support.
FAQ
What is the benefit of hiring a doula?
Folks who receive continual support during birth are “more likely to have spontaneous vaginal births and less likely to have any pain medication, epidurals, negative feelings about childbirth, vacuum or forceps-assisted births, and Cesareans.”
Their labors also average about 40 minutes shorter than those birthing without continual support.
These outcomes are exaggerated when that “continual support” is provided by a doula who is not hired by/affiliated with the hospital/birth center.
A compilation of studies recently performed shows that the presence of a doula during birth is associated with:
39% decrease in the risk of Cesarean.
15% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth.
10% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief.
Shorter labors by 41 minutes on average
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.
All of these statistics come from this link.
If my partner(s) is/are planning to attend my birth, can I still benefit from hiring a doula?
Yes! The roles of doula and partner are pretty different. The love and support of a partner/loved one is incredibly beneficial to the birthing process for myriad reasons. Connection with someone you love stimulates the production of oxytocin, a vitally important neurotransmitter during the birth process. Having a love in the birthing space with whom you feel safe and melty is super beneficial.
Many doulas have done many hours of training, learning, and attending births in order to hone their support skills (which includes supporting any partners who are attending the birth). The doula can provide informational, physical, and emotional support that will facilitate connection and comfort between birther and partner(s). Plus, labor can last a long time and having an extra person present allows supporters to take turns getting food, naps, and fresh air without leaving the birther alone.