What is the role of a doula?

A birth doula provides physical, emotional, and mental support throughout pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum. The goal of a doula is to help women feel safe, respected, and supported throughout their experience. Although caring for and providing support to birthing mothers is not a new concept, the role of a doula is often still misunderstood. 

What does it look like to provide support?

Doulas provide support in multiple ways all throughout pregnancy and delivery. Prior to labor and delivery, doulas can meet with the woman (and her partner, should they so choose) to gather preferences and help prepare them for birth. In these prenatal visits doulas might inform their client about potential options, available classes/resources, model and practice laboring positions, discuss limitations or fears that may occur, agree upon a code word to change their birth plan, etc. During the actual labor and delivery process doulas can provide support by offering suggestions on comfort measures, double-hip-squeezes, breathing techniques, guided relaxation/meditation, providing hot/cold packs, encouraging hydration, physical touch, words of affirmation, etc. Birth doulas can also provide postpartum support by assisting with baby’s first latch, encouraging a nutritious meal following labor, providing a detailed timeline with birth notes to guide the debriefing meeting, provide referrals to lactation consultants, chiropractors, postpartum therapists, etc. 

How will a doula work alongside my medical provider?

In order to provide quality care and support, doulas stay within their scope of care acknowledging their limitations. For example, doulas do not perform medical tasks like cervical exams, listening for fetal heart tones, taking blood pressure, etc. Doulas also do not diagnose or treat their clients, nor do they offer second opinions. Instead of making a decision for their client, doulas empower women to gather the information needed to make an informed decision based on their values. Rather than step out of their scope of care, doulas work in tandem with a medical care team to provide optimal support. Doulas can encourage good communication between their client and the medical staff, as well as provide constant one-on-one support should the medical team leave momentarily to assist other patients.​

What are the benefits of using a doula?

The support of a doula can increase desired outcomes while decreasing unwanted outcomes for families. As multiple reviews in the Cochrane database suggest, women who use doulas experience: a reduction in the use of synthetic oxytocin; fewer requests for pain medication; less likely to need the intervention of forceps or a vacuum; less likely to need a cesarean birth; higher APGAR scores for baby; and a greater satisfaction with overall birthing experiences, leading to more positive long-term memories. The emotional support offered by a doula may lead to decreased anxiety, increased confidence, boosted self-esteem, and improved postpartum mental health. 
Bohren, M A, Hofmyer G J, Sakala C, Fukuzawa, R K, Cuthbert, A. Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev July 6, 2017. 
Hodnett ED. Pain and women’s satisfaction with the experience of childbirth; a systemic review. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002; 186(5) S160-72. 
Hodnett ED, Gates S, Hofmeyr G J, Weston J. Continuous Support for women during childbirth [PDF]. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2011, Issue 2. ​

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