Frequently Asked Questions

What is a doula?

A doula is a professional perinatal support person. This word, pronounced “doo-luh,” is of Greek origin and means woman servant. Birth doulas are trained and experienced in childbirth and provide physical, emotional, and educational support to women before, during, and just after birth. A postpartum doula provides in-home support to the family after the birth of their baby (or babies). Read more about doulas…

Why should I hire one?

Research reveals that doulas make a difference*:

Throughout all of human history, women have intuitively relied on the support of other women during childbirth. Modern research is now revealing that continous labor support significantly increases positive outcomes for mothers and babies. Research has shown that women who have doula support have signficantly shorter labors and experience fewer complications and obstetric interventions than women who do not have doulas during labor. They also report childbirth as being less difficult and less painful. When a doula is present during labor and birth, babies are less likely to experience fetal distress or to be admitted to neonatal intensive care units.

If you like statistics, this might impress you. In research studies doulas have been shown to...

Decrease medical intervention in labor:

  • Reduce the need for cesarean operation by 50%
  • Reduce the length of labor by 25%
  • Reduce the use of the labor-inducing drug pitocin by 40%
  • Reduce pain medication use by 30%
  • Reduce the need for forceps by 40%
  • Reduce epidural requests by 60%

6 weeks after birth, mothers who had doulas were:

  • Less anxious and depressed
  • More confident with their baby
  • More satisfied with their partner (71% vs 30%)
  • More likely to be breastfeeding (52% vs. 29%)

It’s no wonder that women who have doula support are more likely to feel that birth was a positive, satisfying life experience!

Won't my partner, my doctor, and the nurses help me with anything I need?

Doulas can help you in ways no one else can! Although they play an important role as part of your birthing team, your doctor and nurses can’t provide you support in your home during early labor or continuous support in the hospital. Read more…

What about the dad, will he feel replaced?

Many people are confused as to how doulas interact with the laboring woman's partner. Rest assured that my job is bring the soon-to-be mom and dad closer together during labor. I do not replace the partner or usurp his role. Having me present enables the father to relax because there is someone there to guide both of them through the process. Most partners have had very little exposure to birth and laboring women. I am there to reassure the dad and show him labor support skills so that he can be involved in the birth right from the start. Even though seeing his laboring partner in pain can be scary, I work hard to encourage him that what he is seeing is normal and there are ways that he can soothe her discomfort. Many glowing testimonials come from fathers who are just amazed at how helpful and supportive the presence of a doula was for him. More on this topic…

Why would I want a stranger at my birth?

Trust me, by the time you give birth, I will not be a stranger! From the time you first contact me, I will begin to build a relationship with both you and your partner. As a matter of fact, for most typical hospital births, it is likely I will be the only person you know caring for you. Most OBGYN's and nurse midwives work in a group and whoever happens to be on call during your birth is who you get. You will also be randomly assigned a nurse you have never met and will likely go through one or more nurse shift changes. As your doula, I will be a constant reassuring presence for you and your partner, regardless of who the other support staff may be.

How is a doula different from a midwife or nurse?

I provide only non-medical support for the laboring woman. Doulas do not perform any medical procedures such as: checking baby's heart rate, vaginal exams, blood pressure checks or catching the baby. Because I am not responsible for your medical care, I am free to devote my entire attention to helping you through each contraction.

What if I want pain medication?

I am trained to support women in ALL birth scenarios. Even if you are planning to use pain medication or are just "open" to using it, I will be an invaluable part of your birth team. Doulas can help you gather all the information you need to make an informed choice about pain medication and give you a realistic picture of how you can expect your labor to change. Just because a woman has pain relief, it does not mean she has stopped laboring or needs less support. Many times the emotional needs of the laboring women are even greater when she has medication. I can also help with positioning and other comfort measures to reduce the negative effects of the medication and will be a key support during pushing which can require more coaching with an epidural. For the 5 to 15 percent of women who do not receive complete pain relief from an epidural, my role becomes even more important in helping the woman to cope with her contractions.

*Sources:
Campbell, D. A., Lake, M. F., Falk, M., & Blackstrand, J. R. (2006). A randomized controlled trial of continuous support in labor by a lay doula. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 35(4), 456-464.
Lesser, P. A., Maurer, P., Stephens, S., & Yolkut, R. (2005). Doulas for all. International Journal of Childbirth Education, 20(3), 28-32.
Keenan, P. (2000). Benefits of massage therapy and use of doula during labor and childbirth. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 6(1), 66-74.
Scott, K. D., Klaus, P. H., & Klaus, M. H. (1999). The obstetrical and postpartum benefits of continuous support during childbirth. Journal of Women's Health & Gender-Based Medicine, 8(10), 1257-1265.