The Role and Benefits of a Doula

Bringing a new life into the world is a profound experience, and having the right support can make all the difference. But what exactly is a birth doula, and how can their role enhance the birthing process? Whether you're exploring your options or simply curious about the doula meaning, this article will clarify what a doula is vs. a midwife and highlight the benefits of having a doula by your side. From offering emotional support to providing practical guidance, understanding the role and benefits of having a doula can help you make informed decisions for a positive birth experience. 

What Is a Doula? Definition and Meaning

What does “doula” mean? The definition of a doula is a person trained to advise, inform, and offer emotional and physical comfort to a pregnant person before, during, and after the birth of their child. The word doula comes from the Greek word doulē, the meaning of which translates to female helper or maidservant. Of course, you can define your doula as a servant—they’re definitely not—and they may or may not be female, but they are there to help and guide you.

It’s worth noting that a doula is not a trained medical professional. They do not replace your healthcare provider. However, they can offer care and support that a provider cannot, which we explain in this article.

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What Does a Doula Do?

The best way to understand the role of a doula is to know the different types of support they can provide. So, what are a doula’s services? A doula isn’t limited to just helping you during labour and the birth of your baby. They can lend advice during your pregnancy and can continue to mentor you after your baby is born. It’s up to you how and when you would like to utilize your doula’s expertise.

If you’re wondering “What does a doula do during labour, pregnancy, or beyond?” These are some examples of the support doulas can provide:

• Physical comfort. They can provide a gentle touch or a massage during labour, or even just hold your hand. They can also help you use breathing techniques.

• Emotional support. Whether you need reassurance, comfort, or encouragement, your doula can provide it. They’re also there to just listen if that’s what you need. 

• Information. A doula’s experience comes in handy when you need information about what happens during labour, explanations of certain procedures, and what to look forward to in the postpartum period.

• Communication. They can serve as a liaison between you (and your family) and the hospital staff. Sometimes it may be difficult for your family members to communicate with your doctor during your labour. Whereas your doula can serve as the point person, and help ease your family’s nerves while relaying information about you and your baby’s condition.

• Guidance. A doula can also provide support to your partner and loved ones when needed. Whether you have a nervous father on hand or an anxious mother, your doula can help them in an emotional capacity, too.

• Assistance with feeding your baby. If you’ve chosen to breastfeed your baby, a doula can help you navigate the challenges of breastfeeding, including breast discomfort (for example, if you get the breast infection mastitis), getting your baby to latch, and finding comfortable breastfeeding positions. A doula can also answer your questions if you’re using formula. For example, when and how much to give. 

• Assistance with caring for your baby. If you’d like it, the role of a doula can also extend to helping show you things like how to give your baby their first bath, how to soothe a crying baby, how to care for your baby’s umbilical cord stump, and much more.

It's important to check your hospital’s policies on doulas beforehand to see if they allow doulas to attend deliveries.

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Benefits of Having a Doula

Some studies show that the emotional support of a doula can result in a more positive labour and postpartum experience for some pregnant people. For example:

• Shortened labour time

• A lesser chance of needing pain relief medication during labour

• Reduced incidence of cesarean section

• A decrease in anxiety and/or postpartum depression

• Improved communication between healthcare providers and parents 

• A more positive experience for parents post-delivery.

These studies make some great claims, but a doula is not for everyone. If you’re on the fence about hiring a doula, keep in mind that having one isn’t a requirement, and many pregnant people prefer not to use a doula at all. If you’re still unsure, it could be a good idea to chat with your healthcare provider about it. They may have some good insights on whether a doula could be right for you. Ultimately, the decision is yours.

How Long Does a Doula Stay After Birth?

If you hire a doula who covers postpartum care, it’s usual for them to help you in the first few weeks or months after the birth of your baby. The length of time depends on your needs and preferences, so discussing this with your doula is a good idea. You can also reach out to them in the postpartum period if you realize you need more help than you initially thought.

Doula vs. Midwife

When it comes to what the difference is between a doula vs. a midwife, you should not be thinking in terms of either/or. There is a major difference between what a doula offers and what a midwife can help you with. 

Think of a doula as someone there to provide you with lots of support, kind of like a birthing cheerleader. They can’t provide you with any medical advice but they can help you find the right healthcare provider or give you info on where to go for expert help.

A midwife is a specially trained and licensed professional who works closely with your provider to directly assist you during your pregnancy, labour, and delivery. Unlike a doula, a midwife is a registered nurse who has earned a master’s degree in nursing with a specialization in midwifery. 

Do You Need a Doula?

Receiving the best care during pregnancy is a top priority for many parents, therefore, you may be wondering “Do I need a doula?” or “Should I get a doula?” There’s no exact answer to these questions, but we’ll weigh up some reasons why you may or may not hire a doula and choose this extra support during pregnancy and beyond. 

Deciding whether it’s worth it to hire a doula depends on what kind of support and birth experience you are seeking. The necessity of a doula depends on your circumstances and preferences. Those who might find a doula particularly beneficial include first-time parents, members of underrepresented groups, those who have experienced trauma in previous births, or individuals aiming for a natural, unmedicated labour​​.

Cost and availability can be barriers, as many insurance plans do not cover doula services. However, some community organizations offer doula services at reduced costs or even for free, particularly to those in high-need populations​​.

While a doula is not a medical necessity, you may find the support invaluable for achieving a positive childbirth experience. If you’re considering a doula, it may be helpful to look at the benefits listed in this article, weigh up the potential pros and cons of hiring a doula, and discuss with your healthcare provider to see how a doula could complement the medical care you’ll receive during childbirth.

Hiring a Doula

If you’ve decided a doula may be a good option for you, think about when you’d like to hire a doula and start working with one, and start researching and interviewing potential doulas early to give yourself plenty of time to find the right one.

So, how do you get a doula? The association of doulas, DONA International, which also offers doula certification training, is a great starting point. DONA International even has a doula search tool you can try to help find one in your local area. 

Alternatively, ask your provider, childbirth class instructor, midwife, and even family members or friends for recommendations. You might also want to contact your birthing centre or hospital for a referral. 

Before speaking to potential doulas, you may want to ask your insurance provider if a doula is covered by your insurance. Oftentimes doulas are not covered. 

It might also be a good idea to ask your healthcare provider whether you can have a doula with you in the hospital or birthing centre, as there may be hospital policies or guidelines about the use of a doula that you may need to be aware of.

And, if you’re having a birth plan, you might want to add your chosen doula’s contact information, as well as an outline of their role during your labour and delivery. Don’t forget to share a copy with your doula, as well.

Questions to Ask When Hiring a Doula

The key is to choose a doula you feel comfortable with. Once you’ve found a few options, it’s worth discussing with each of them. 

You might consider asking the potential doula about their

• training, skills, and experience

• how many births they have attended

• their philosophy when it comes to labour and childbirth

• how they feel about your labour and birthing preferences

• what they typically do for parents-to-be during labour and childbirth 

• what various other services they may provide

• and, of course, their fees.

When meeting with a doula, it’s also a good idea to discuss any concerns you may have about your pregnancy, and ask any other questions you may have. And, of course, you should just see how you feel around the doula—after all, you two will work closely together at a really important and personal time.

The Bottom Line

Whether you decide to have a doula during your pregnancy is a personal choice, and only you can know what would make you feel most comfortable. Although a doula is useful for some pregnant people, it’s not for everyone. The goal is for you to feel as empowered and as relaxed as possible during pregnancy, labour, childbirth, and beyond. 

While you’re here, take a look at our Go-To Pregnancy Guide to help you navigate this special journey.

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_{How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.}