Birth Doula FAQs
What does a doula really do and why do I need one?
A birth doula is integral to the prenatal, birth, and postpartum season. Consider your doula as your family’s go-to person for information, resources, advice, and practical, physical, and emotional support person from the beginning of your pregnancy to your postpartum closing visit. She is your personal advisor for those never-ending questions and decisions you encounter throughout your pregnancy, labor, and postpartum stages. She is committed to providing you with excellent care, so you feel pampered, supported, and nurtured as you prepare to nurture your little one.
As an added benefit, your primary support person can rest assured should they need a break from the labor room knowing that mom is being well provided for by your doula. Furthermore, studies overwhelmingly prove the valuable asset a doula can be to the expectant family. Doula attended births are commonly associated with a more satisfying birth experience, less need for interventions, decreased requests for pain relief, reduced number of C-sections, decreased length of labor, and a positive breastfeeding experience.
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I was considering having my mom/sister/sister-in-law attend my labor…can’t they fill the doula role for me?
Although having family members present during such a memorable occasion can be a tremendous blessing and addition to the birth process, we recommend having a professional fill the role of a birth doula. A birth doula has specialized training that equips her in the areas of comfort measures, relaxation techniques, massage, pain management, positioning, and more, which sets her apart from the support offered by a family member. Furthermore, although highly invested in your labor and birth, a professional birth doula doesn’t have the emotional connection to you that a family member does, thus making her the ideal support person able to assist you throughout the entire undertaking.
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What's the difference between a doula and a midwife?
A doula is a non-medical support person who focuses on caring for you emotionally and physically while keeping you informed and empowered. While they can have similar approaches, a midwife differs from a doula substantially. 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. Both doulas and midwives work with you prenatally, support you throughout the birth and follow up with you postpartum. Specifically, at a birth, doulas are often found doing hip squeezes, refilling your water bottle, providing guidance and reassurance (to you and your partner), and repeating affirmations that empower you. At a birth, midwives may be found doing similar things to a doula, but their top priorities include: ensuring that you and your baby's vital signs are stable, assessing you and your baby, completing cervical exams when needed, administering medication if necessary, and catching the baby you are birthing.
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When should I hire a birth doula?
The earlier, the better. Typically, the beginning of your third trimester is a good time to have your doula secured. It is recommended that you start your search in your second trimester, talk to and interview a couple of doulas, and determine who is the best fit for you. You deserve someone you feel an easy connection with and someone you think fits your personality and needs.
Postpartum Doula FAQs
What is a postpartum doula?
A postpartum doula comes with endless resources, support, and guidance during the transition into parenthood, from the first few weeks to a few months postpartum.
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What kind of support does a postpartum doula offer?
Postpartum doulas work with you during those first moments at home, typically ranging from a couple of weeks to a couple of months, up to one year post-birth. Postpartum doulas provide unbiased, evidence-based information and create a safe space for you to feel comfortable and cared for. You will receive assistance with newborn care, light household tidying, food preparation, breastfeeding & infant feeding, laundry, and more. In addition, postpartum doulas provide critical emotional support during the often-overlooked "fourth trimester."
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When should I hire a postpartum doula?
This depends on you and how you are anticipating your postpartum needs will be met. Some families hire a postpartum doula while they are still pregnant. Maybe a previous experience has encouraged them to secure a postpartum doula early on. Other families start their postpartum journey on their own and then recognize that they would benefit from a doula or wanted to wait to see if they would require the support. The timing of when you hire a postpartum doula is completely up to you! Even if you do not hire one ahead of time, researching and knowing your options while pregnant can be helpful for when you end up searching for one after you give birth.
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How does a postpartum doula work with the family?
Working with your family means that the doula offers encouragement, advice, and guidance as everyone navigates the new transition. Support for the family often looks like suggestions for bottle feeding and bath time, help with preparing dinner, and more. Yes, a professionally trained postpartum doula makes you the priority. This includes your mental and emotional health, your physical healing from birth, and your sleep. Those needs are often met when a postpartum doula supports another aspect of the family/home. When you feel your baby is taken care of, the kitchen is organized, and your lunch is made, your overall well-being has a chance to feel restful and cared for. A postpartum doula tends to what you need, sometimes even without needing direction (as long as it's within their scope of practice).
The work you and your postpartum doula do together can look different than someone else's work with them. This is because each family's needs are unique. Therefore your experience and schedule with your postpartum doula will be unique and individualized to fit you and your needs. Depending on my availability, you may choose to have me do day or night shifts, ranging anywhere from 2 hours long to 8 hours long. You can choose to have me with you once a week or several days a week; again, it's entirely flexible based on your family's needs.