What is a Birth Doula and Why Do You Need One?

I often hear the question, “What is a birth doula?” As a doula myself, I feel a great responsibility to educate women on what a doula is and all the ways a doula can help give them the best possible pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum experience.

Today’s post, we will discuss what a birth doula is, what they do, why you need one, how having a doula present will benefit you in the case of a C-section, and what a doula can offer you postpartum.

What is a Birth Doula? 

A birth Doula is a professional labor assistant who provides physical and emotional support to you, your partner, and your birth team during your labor and birth. Birth doula’s also offer support to you and your partner during your whole pregnancy, in addition to all that they do for you in your labor, birth, and your postpartum period. 

What Does a Birth Doula Do? 

A birth doula typically offers support and information about what’s happening during your pregnancy, labor, and postpartum . They also offer emotional comfort, encouragement, and reassurance when needed. A good birth doula pays close attention to what you and your partner’s needs are in any given situation. During the labor process, a birth doula offers physical comfort through techniques such as the best laboring positions, gentle massage, gentle touch, assistance with breathing, and help keep you in your own, sacred headspace.

Why Do I Need a Doula?

Many women leave their prenatal appointments still having unanswered questions and concerns. While a birth doula cannot offer you medical advice, they can help fill in the gaps where your doctor or Midwife may not have had the time. They’re always available to provide reassurance and to answer any questions you may have regarding your pregnancy, baby, or your changing body. 

When you labor, a birth doula can help facilitate communication between you, your partner, your birth team, and your hospital staff or Midwife. Birth doula’s do not make decisions for you, but they can relay your wishes to the doctor or midwife in the case of you not having the ability to speak.

Most birth doulas also offer guidance, support, and assistance with breast-feeding, and your postpartum recovery.

Studies have shown that women who use birthing doulas have a decreased risk of cesarean section, shorter labors, less negative childbirth experiences, have a better headspace during labor, and are able to use less pain relief medication during labor and after birth.

While a doula can help facilitate communication between you and the hospital staff, its important to keep in mind that they are unable to give medical advice or make any type of medical decision for you or your baby.

When interviewing potential doulas, be sure to ask about their training, how many births they have attended, what services they provide, their cost, and their philosophies about childbirth. Also, discuss your preferences and concerns about your pregnancy, labor, and delivery. If you are unable to find a good doula by word-of-mouth, call a local hospital. They can usually give you a referral list of doulas in your area or the name of a doula agency in your area.

Many insurance companies cover doula services. If you’re looking into hiring a doula, call your insurance and ask if it’s covered. It just might be!

“I’m having a C-section, why do I need a doula?”

The C-section rate in the United States is extremely high. Nearly 33% of women end up in the operating room. Having a birth doula there for a scheduled cesarean or an emergency cesarean can be helpful to both you and your partner in many ways.

A C-section is a major surgery. With major surgery can come many questions, anxieties, and concerns. Having a doula present as a resource to answer questions and explain the upcoming procedure can help ease your anxieties in the same way that she would in a normal labor setting. Your doula can help you manage painful procedures, such as the placement of an IV, spinal, or epidural. She is also available to you as you write your cesarean birth plan. Many times, questions about the upcoming procedures pop up when writing a birth plan. She is there to answer those questions!

Sometimes your doula is not able to be in the operating room with you per hospital guidelines, but she can still be a great asset during your operation. In the case of your baby being taken to the nursery or the NICU, she would be able to be with your infant and allow your partner to stay by your side . She can remind the staff of any special requests you have concerning your baby when you are not present. She can also act as a liaison between you and the staff so you are able to get updates on the baby while you are separated.

Cesareans can last up to an hour. Most of that time is spent repairing your body after the baby has been born. Having a doula there enables you to not be alone during this time. 

Postpartum after a cesarean can be difficult, your doula will be there to suggest post-operative comfort measures. She’s also there to assist you with any breastfeeding questions you may have. Early breastfeeding can be difficult, especially with a healing incision. Your doula can provide you with special help that you or your baby may need when learning how to breastfeed.

A Doula’s Role in an Unscheduled Cesarean 

Your doula will provide many of the same services in the case of an unscheduled C-section as she would in the case of a scheduled cesarean. A doula can be a vital, calming presence in the case of an emergency. Your doula will likely not be allowed in the surgical room, but she will again be able to resume assisting you once you are out of surgery.

Having an extra set of hands and eyes can be a great help when your body has been through so much! 

How Can a Doula Help Postpartum? 

Postpartum is a time of healing, learning, and mental and emotional difficulty. A birth doula typically offers six to eight weeks of continued care after your baby is born. Many doulas do light house work, provide a meal or two, assist with breastfeeding, enable you to nap during the day, provide a listening ear, provide reassurance, help you learn how to properly care for your newborn, and so much more.

A doula can be an asset to your recovery, especially in the case of your partner not having paid paternity leave. It can be so helpful to have an extra set of hands available when you need them. If you have had a C-section, a doula can help you figure out the best ways to move your body to aid in your postpartum healing. They can also help you work through the sometimes difficult mental transition of becoming a parent and healing postpartum.

The role of a doula is often downplayed and overlooked. However, having a doula present when birthing your beautiful new baby into the world can make all the difference in you having a positive birthing experience. Whether you have your baby vaginally or birth your baby by cesarean, having a doula present just might give you the birthing experience that you’re looking for.

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