What is a Doula?

What is a Doula?

A doula is a person who is trained to offer one-on-one physical and emotional support in the perinatal period. I consider a doula a companion and guide during the time of big transitions.

Prenatally, a doula typically meets with a family to get to know them to understand what the ways they can be most helpful. They will then personalize education and preparation to the family’s individual situation and desires. They can help the pregnant person and any birth partners to understand what to expect with labor education, newborn and lactation instruction, and postpartum planning.

During labor, a birth doula helps to pace and inform clients, helping them to understand what might be going on and offering recommendations for positioning, timing, and comfort. They are often hands-on, providing massage and counterpressure techniques.

During the postpartum period, there are many ways a doula can be helpful to new families. Postpartum doulas typically help with newborn care, light household chores, including preparing nourishing meals, and educate families on tips for the balance of newborn care and recovery. Because doulas are there with families in this very vulnerable time, they can also help process the many feelings and experiences happening and offer resources for lactation, mental health, pelvic floor health, pediatric bodywork and dentistry if they notice more support is needed.

The role of the doula is outside of the role of medical caregiver or personal partner, but an objective, trained person whose job is to be present to the birthing person and help them to make their own choices and have the best birth experience as defined by the birthing person’s own preferences. Research has shown that the presence of a birth doula helps a laboring person’s outcomes in a variety of ways including a reduced risk of cesarean section, a decreased likelihood of use of any medications during labor, an increased likelihood of a shorter labor, and ultimately increases their chance of having a positive memory of their birth experience. Doulas are so valuable in helping new families feel more empowered, informed, and confident in their abilities during a time of huge transformation.