There are many modern names for a doula, including labor coach, birth assistant, and birth attendant. The roots of the word itself stems from a Greek word meaning “woman servant or caregiver.” Doulas are trained to provide emotional, physical and educational support for the mother during all parts of the birth and are considered by many to be indispensable to women wanting to have a positive birth experience.
How Does a Doula Provide Support During Labor?
Besides providing continuous support for the mother during labor, doulas may also provide pre- and post-natal assistance, as well as a plethora of other roles relating to birth. There are so many things that doulas are, that first it is easier to describe what doulas are not. First and foremost, doulas are not medical health care providers. While doulas will have a familiarity with birth-specific medical procedures, their primary focus is of the emotional well being of the mother and baby, and they do not replace midwives or doctors in the birthing room. Doulas are not there to replace the partner. Doulas do not judge or push their personal agendas on births. Doulas are at births for the sole purpose of making your birth the best experience it can be for you!
Why choose a doula to begin with? Studies show that women whose births were attended by doulas were 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 cesarean births. In addition, labor time was decreased by an average of 40 minutes and their babies were less likely to have low Apgar scores at birth. Doulas exist not just to make birth more enjoyable for the mother, but also to make births smoother, shorter, and less painful.
Tips for Choosing the Right Doula
Choosing your doula is a big decision, and we recommend booking your doula by the end of your second trimester. It would be so sad to find your dream doula, only to discover she is already booked during your due date!
Doula packages generally include one or two pre-partum visits, being on-call for two weeks before your due date, a back-up doula in case she has an emergency, full support during the birth and right after, and then one visit postpartum. Some doulas may charge for these things separately. In addition to their regular support services, some doulas may offer additional help for you, such as massages, food preparation, placenta encapsulation, photography, belly casting, virtual services, and more.
Overall, the most important thing to consider during a doula interview is to ask yourself how you feel about her. This woman will be by your side through an intense journey. She will see you at your most vulnerable, and in order to help you, you must trust her! No matter the reason, there are some people we just don’t feel right around. Maybe it’s something about their smell or personality or the way they move that drives us crazy. If you don’t feel comfortable around your doula, then regardless of how good a doula she is, she might not be the best one for you. Trust your instincts!
We at Doula Spot wish you and your family a smooth and empowering birth. We hope that we have helped you learn more about what doulas are, and how to choose one to round off your birth team.
Doula Spot is an online community that connects new and expectant parents to childbirth professionals. Like your own doula, we are here to nurture and provide education throughout your journey. Whether you are seeking guidance, connection, a qualified doula or lactation support, we honor your unique situation. With Doula Spot, you can experience these transitions feeling empowered and supported, all through our easy-to-use online platform.
