A doula is a trained professional who provides expert guidance and supports another person through a significant health-related experience, such as childbirth, miscarriage, induced abortion or stillbirth, as well as non-reproductive experiences such as dying.

A doula can provide evidence-based information to help families make appropriate decisions, to know when to reach out to a provider for help, and facilitate communication between medical care or other professionals.

A doula is a non-medical support person who focuses on caring for you emotionally and physically. A doula helps you to feel informed and empowered. A midwife is a medical professional, meaning that the primary focus of their care is on the health and safety of you and your baby. Doulas and midwives both work with you throughout the perinatal period. An example of their different roles would be during birth: doulas may provide physical comfort measures, refill your water bottle, provide guidance and reassurance to you and your partner, and actively empower you. A midwife’s top priority is ensuring that you and baby's vital signs are stable, assessing you and your baby, and administering medication if necessary. It is completely normal to have both roles present during your experience!

Absolutely! Birth doulas support all types of births, including homebirths, inductions, and c-sections. When hiring a doula, you should certainly find one that is supportive of your birth preferences, whether that be completely natural or inclusive of medical interventions. In the event of an unplanned cesarean, your doula may also provides suggestions for a “gentle” cesarean and continue to advocate for your throughout any changes.

Postpartum doulas support your family at home, typically ranging from a couple weeks to a couple months within the first 12 weeks (the “fourth trimester”). Postpartum doulas provide unbiased, evidence-based information, and create a safe space for you to feel comfortable and cared for. Assistance may look like support with newborn care, light household tidying, food preparation, lactation / infant feeding support, sibling adjustment, and more.

Most clients find that their partner is more involved in the process when they have a doula there to guide them on how to provide support. Also keep in mind that your doula is there to help support your partner, as well! There is heavy emphasis on “mothering the mother,” however doulas are truly full family support.

As soon as possible! You may want to interview doulas in your area to find the best fit. Additionally, the more time that you have between hiring your doula and delivering your baby, the more likely you are to build a great relationship with your doula, gain more education and overall insight, and go into your birthing experience with greater confidence. Most doulas will schedule prenatal visits (even postpartum doulas) to ensure that everyone is better prepared, so allowing that time is truly beneficial.

*Don’t worry about being too late — we would rather you be supported in some manner, even if you haven’t had time to establish a significant relationship!

Family and friends can be amazing support when life provides experience. The challenge is that most people do not have the same circumstances, nor can they give you unbiased support like a doula will. Your doula is there to help you to find your way through this journey — absent of personal opinions.

According to statistics collected by Evidence Based Birth (May 2019), having a Birth Doula during pregnancy and present during birth can:

-Increase spontaneous vaginal birth by 8-15%

-Decrease the risk of being dissatisfied with your birth experience by 31%

-Decrease the baby’s risk of low five minute Apgar score by 38%

-Decrease surgical birth by 25-39%

-Decrease the length of labor by 25% or 41 minutes on average

-Decrease requests for an epidural by 60%

-Decrease the use of any medications for relief by 10%

Additionally, birthing parents that receive doula support are:

-50% less likely to deliver prematurely

-36% less likely to deliver low birthweight babies

-33% more likely to initiate breastfeeding

Overall, studies have shown that when a doula is present in the perinatal period:

-Partners participate with more confidence

-Breastfeeding success improves

-There is more maternal satisfaction

-There are fewer neonatal admissions after birth

-Likelihood of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD), such as postpartum depression decrease

-There is a decrease in caesarean rates

Truly though, the list doesn’t end here!

Yes! Reach out to discuss payment options.

Also, keep in mind that a “doula fund” is a great addition to any baby registry.