What is a Doula?

Demystifying the Role of a Doula: Enhancing Your Birth Experience

The term “doula” has gained significant recognition these days – and for those who have experienced a birth with a doula, there is a reverence. But what is a doula? What does a doula do? Who are these remarkable individuals and how can they enhance your birthing journey? Let’s explore the doula definition. Let’s dig deep into the doula meaning. What are their roles in birth and postpartum care? And what are the benefits of hiring a certified doula to support you during this transformative time?

What does a doula do:

A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a birther. This support is provided during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Doula is derived from the Greek word doulē which means “a woman who serves”. Doulas have been supporting birthing individuals for centuries.

These are the most common types of Doulas (and yes, there are others kinds too!):

What is a Birth Doula?

A birth doula accompanies and supports the birthing person and their partner throughout labor and delivery. They are also called a labor doula or birthworker. Firstly, doulas provide evidence-based education that gives the individuals or families preparing for birth the opportunity to make informed choices. 

A well trained doula is not attached to any one way to birth. They offer non-judgemental care to ensure the people who are having their baby feel supported and safe in their choices. Doulas provide guidance in preparing for and carrying out the birth plan. They provide comfort measures and stay with the birthing person throughout labor. They advocate for the birthing person’s wishes while nurturing and protecting their memory of the birth experience. They provide emotional support because they understand the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a person in labor.  A birth doula helps create a positive and empowering birth experience. Because they recognize that birth is a key experience that birthers will remember all their life.

When our alumni talk to their clients in their birth debrief sessions, they hear statements such as, ‘my doula slowed the pace down so I could make decisions without feeling rushed’ or ‘my previous labour and birth without a doula felt like everything was being done TO me and that was totally different with my doula-attended birth’.

Birth doulas answer your questions, whatever they are. They are your biggest cheerleaders and ally and protector. 

What is a Postpartum Doula?

A postpartum doula provides families with hands-on help, education, and emotional support during the postpartum period. They help with newborn care while easing family adjustment with the addition of a new member of the family. They offer infant feeding support, including breast or chest feeding. They provide guidance on self-care while focusing on emotional and physical recovery from birth. And they help ease the transition into parenthood.

One of the biggest benefits of having a postpartum or postnatal doula is that there is someone to catch the early signs and symptoms of a postpartum mood disorder such as postpartum depression or anxiety. This is important because the faster you catch these symptoms, the faster treatment can start leading to better outcomes.

Benefits of Hiring a Doula:

Emotional Support:

Doulas offer a calming presence and unwavering emotional support during labor. They provide reassurance, encouragement, and a sense of empowerment to the birthing person and their partner.

Continuous Support:

Doulas are there for you throughout your entire labor and early postpartum period. They offer uninterrupted support regardless of the duration or circumstances. Their presence ensures that you have a familiar face, continuous care, and a dedicated advocate by your side.

Information and Education:

Doulas provide evidence-based information about pregnancy, labor, and postpartum care. This information empowers individuals and their partners to make informed decisions about their birth experiences.

Comfort Measures:

Doulas are skilled in various comfort techniques to manage pain or sensations during labor. They provide guidance on doing the proper breathing exercises in pregnancy to prepare for birth. They can point to the right massage techniques. They can offer suggestions for positions in alleviating pain. They know how to use tools like birth balls or hot/cold packs. These measures can help manage pain and increase comfort during labor.

Partner Involvement:

Doulas work collaboratively with partners. They acknowledge and respect their role in the birthing process. They provide guidance and suggestions that help partners feel confident. They encourage partners to get involved in supporting the birthing person at their comfort level.

Reduced Interventions:

Research has shown that the presence of a doula during labor shortens its duration. Thus lowering the risks of complications. Resulting in fewer emergency interventions such as unplanned caesarean births, the use of epidurals, and assisted deliveries.

It’s important to note that the titles and roles of doulas may vary, and some doulas may specialise in multiple areas of support.

The main goal of any doula is to provide personalised care, guidance, and support to individuals and families during significant reproductive experiences.

If you’re seeking a positive and well-supported birthing journey, consider hiring a certified doula. Their expertise, dedication, and commitment to your well-being can make a remarkable difference in your birth and postpartum experience. Doing your birth with a doula can help you focus on other more important matters that you have control over. Embrace the transformative support of a doula and embark on your journey to parenthood with confidence and peace of mind.

Want to be a Doula? Check How Much Do Doulas Make?

You are in luck! We offer the most comprehensive program out there! Some of the highlights:

• We are the first to give you skills training and business training – so you can grow a lucrative business! Yup, change the world while making your own money to spend how you wish!
• You get free therapy with your program! Yup, we take care of you so you can take care of families. We are the only doula training program to offer this!
• We teach you everything you need to know so you are confident in your abilities
• You are certified as a fertility, birth AND postpartum specialist with our 3 in 1 training!
• You will make birth besties with our program – we make sure of it! It is hard making friends as adults, especially ones who want to talk about birth and babies as much as you do! #BirthBesties

Want to learn more? Check out this free video here to learn how you can build a thriving birth business in 3 months! 

Want to grab your spot for the next session? Grab your doula training spot…FYI: We fill up fast!