your questions: answered
all about
doulas
What is a doula?
A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical & emotional support throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. They educate, advocate, and hold space for birthing persons and their partners/family to facilitate an empowering and positive birthing experience.
What is a doula's impact on healthy birth outcomes?
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Significantly more likely to initiate breast/chest feeding
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Decreased likelihood to have a baby with low-birthweight
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More likely to go into spontaneous (self-induced) labor
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Reduced use of intervention
What are the benefits of having a doula after birth?
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Reported higher satisfaction of birth
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Increased bonding with baby
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Increased rates of breastfeeding
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Can decrease birth related expenses for the birthing person and the greater community
What is the difference between a midwife and a doula?
While midwives and doulas often work together, they are not interchangeable and work under separate scopes of practice.
A doula can:
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Provide prenatal + postpartum education
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Give emotional support during + after labor
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Photograph labor + special moments following
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Encapsulate placentas (with additional training)
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Provide lactation support
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Encourage different positions & laboring techniques
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Support the birthing person's birth plan and decisions
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Advocate for birthing persons throughout pregnancy, labor, and postpartum
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Provide a positive space for birthing persons & their partners
A doula cannot:
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Perform medical procedures (i.e. vaginal exams, fetal heart monitoring)
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No decision making, ESPECIALLY medical decision making
How will hiring a doula affect my partner’s role during the birth?
A role of a doula is never to replace a support person, but to amplify your support. Not only am I working to support you, but I also working to support your partner. Together, we will make a team who is there to encourage, comfort, and provide a safe environment during your birth.
Will a doula be able to support my birth or birth preference?
Every doula is drawn to different settings where they will be able to give the best support.
I support all types of births: vaginal birth, belly-birth, medicated support, unmedicated, spontaneous, or induced. I have the skillset, training, and experience to handle any variable that may be presented. I am here to meet you exactly where you are to ensure you have a positive outcome, in whatever shape that forms.