Benefits of a Doula

First, let's talk about what a doula is and what a doula does. A doula is typically a trained professional who provides continuous one-on-one care starting in pregnancy and, depending on the needs of the family, into the postpartum period. This care is physical, emotional, and educational, giving the client understanding and empowerment through all stages of having a baby. Some people question whether a doula replaces a birth partner or husband, but this is not the case. A doula is a trained support person in addition to the birth partner and also there to support the birth partner if needed. Others question if a family member can be a doula. In theory, yes, a family member could be an additional support person but they are potentially lacking the professional training, experience, and knowledge that a doula has around pregnancy, labor, and birth. 

The benefits: 

Research shows that women who have a doula are more likely to go into labor spontaneously, use less pain medication (including a decrease in epidural use), have a somewhat shorter labor, and, most importantly, have an overall positive birth experience. This is achieved through continuous care starting during pregnancy and ending sometime in the postpartum period. The care a doula provides is holistic including physical support, emotional support, educational/informational support, as well as support for the birth partner. 

Physical support: 

Physical support during labor is important on many levels. The first and most obvious is that, during this long and tiring process, it can be immensely helpful to literally have someone to lean on. Doulas can also help with pain management through counter-pressure and gentle massage, as well as simple recommendations on different labor positions and activities to help with the pain. This physical support offers the birthing woman a sense of safety and control in what can feel like a scary experience. This safety allows her to relax her nerves and body which ultimately helps labor to progress.

Some forms of physical support:

• Massage, counter pressure, acupressure

• Helping with bath or showers

• Applying warm or cold packs

• Holding hands and making eye contact

• Teaching breathing and visualization techniques

• Suggesting positions, movement, using a birth ball, going to the bathroom, etc.

• Helping with food, and drinks

• Providing an extra set of hands for nurses, midwives and OBs if needed

Emotional support: 

As mentioned above, feeling safe is immensely important. This safety comes from being surrounded by loving and supportive people, as well as the environment in which you are laboring. 

The relationship you have with your doula starts to form and blossom during pregnancy. By getting to know each other and having regular prenatal meetings you start to develop a sense of trust; some may even say friendship. A doula can continuously make you feel cared for, seen, loved, and supported throughout your labor and birth, and this is one of the main roles they will play. A doula will also help to create comfort and safety by curating a calm environment. 

Emotional support can look like: 

• Reassurance

• Being calming presence

• Positive Affirmations and prayer

• Praise

• Helping you feel confident and in control

• Keeping you company and being present

• Echoing back what you are experiencing and validating you while giving suggestions to help

• Helping you work through fears and self doubt

• Having a positive and calm attitude

• Providing space for you to debrief after birth 

Educational/informational support:

This type of support can also start in your prenatal conversations, in understanding what is going on during labor and birth, what your options are, and having your questions about the birth process answered. A doula will provide evidence-based information and resources to guide you to feel confident, empowered, and informed when it comes to labor and delivery. 

Educational/ informational support can look like:

• Childbirth education classes

• Education on different labor techniques, movement, positions, pain management, etc.

• Book/research article recommendations

• Explaining medical procedures and interventions

• Assisting with how to communicate effectively to your care providers

• Helping you and your partner have confidence to voice your opinions, questions and desires

Partner support:

A benefit of having a doula that is not talked about enough is the support she can provide for the husband. Knowing that a doula is present can be reassuring for the husband, knowing that if he leaves his wife will not be alone. It can also be helpful for him to be reminded to eat, drink, and rest so that he maintains the ability to support his wife to the fullest extent possible. 

Conclusion:

This article doesn’t fully explain the capacity and impact of a doulas support being as though it is entirely individualized and tailored to each family's needs. To say the least, having a doula as part of your birth team can be immensely helpful on all levels. The benefits are much more than just physical, emotional, and educational. The relationship that is built between the family and their doula is lifelong. A Doula can help you and your family have the unique, individualized birth that you hope for and desire. But also, the benefits of this support stretch much farther than the pregnancy, labor, birth & postpartum window of time. It may appear to some simple, only surface level, and even a modern luxury, but this role is realistically supporting the beginning of life for the generation to come, the future of our world, in hopes of giving them a solid foundation and a strong, positive start!