Doula – What Is A Doula And Why Should I Have One?

Doula Curious?

If you’re pregnant, you’ve likely heard about having a doula but aren’t quite sure what they do.

The popularity of doulas has been soaring, likely in response to an increasing number of women having disempowering, disappointing or unsatisfying childbirth experiences.

Giving birth is an incredible event that you’ll never forget – it’s a rite of passage.

But sadly, far too many women end up with a baby in their arms and wonder what the heck just happened!

Doulas are passionate about birth being a more nurturing, empowering and life changing experience… for the better.

Doula Meaning

The meaning of the word ‘doula’ — pronounced ‘doo-la’ — is a Greek word meaning ‘woman servant or caregiver’.

More recently, it refers to someone who offers physical and emotional support to a woman and her partner before, during and after childbirth.

A doula (also known as a birth attendant) believes in ‘mothering the mother’.

She enables a woman and her partner to have the most satisfying birth experience possible, from pregnancy and into motherhood.

This type of support allows the whole family to relax and enjoy the experience too.

DONA International (Doulas of North America) explains how doulas fit into the birth team:

“Women have complex needs during childbirth. In addition to the safety of modern obstetrical care, and the love and companionship provided by their partners, women need consistent, continuous reassurance, comfort, encouragement and respect. They need individualised care based on their circumstances and preferences. The role of the birth doula encompasses the non-clinical aspects of care during childbirth.”

Doulas have been actively supporting women in labour for a very long time, well before it was the formalised role that it is today.

Due to positive word of mouth (and the need for increased support), doulas are fast growing in popularity.

What Is A Doula?

Doulas are trained and experienced in childbirth and are usually mothers themselves.

While they have good knowledge and awareness of the birth process, a doula does not support the mother-to-be in a medical role.

Medical care is the responsibility of medical professionals, be that a midwife or doctor.

A doula helps the mother-to-be to achieve the birth she hopes for, no matter if it’s a birth with or without drugs, or a c-section. This makes a doula a valuable addition to the birth team.

Should a birth become complicated and require medical assistance, a doula will still remain by your side and help in any way she can.

She will not make decisions for those she supports, but she will assist them through the decision making process.

A doula provides balanced information so the couple can make their own choices.

Doulas: A Must For Giving Birth In Hospitals

Many women consider doulas to be an absolute must, especially for those giving birth in a hospital.

Due to the over-medicalisation of birth, inductions of labour have skyrocketed, and are partly to blame for the 30% (that’s one out of every three!) Australian and American babies now born via c-section.

Some hospitals have c-section and labour induction rates of 50% and higher.

This is a shocking statistic, well above the World Health Organization recommendations.

Given the long term emotional and physical effects that a birth can have on the mother, her partner and baby, a doula is a valuable asset to your birth team.

By amping up your support team with experienced, continuous care from a doula, you’re giving yourself an increased chance at a better experience.

Your support team are the people you will rely on to get you through your toughest, most intense moments. How well they hold the space and support you can impact on the outcome of your birth.

With a doula, you know that someone is always on YOUR team, holding the space for you and your family. She works for you (and your partner) and has your best interests at heart.

What Does A Doula Do?

A doula may provide some or all of the following services, dependent on her training and skills. Often doulas are also qualified in other therapies too, so it always helps to ask!

• Birth education and preparation
• Birth planning (including creating a written birth plan/birth preferences document)
• De-briefing previous births
• Massage and other comfort measures
• Optimal fetal positioning
• Suggest positions and changes to help ease pain and facilitate a smoother, more effective labour
• Provide reassurance and encouragement
• Talking through emotional blockages which may come up during pregnancy and in labour
• Keep your ‘environment’ going – aromatherapy, music, candles etc
• Assisting you with negotiation of your preferences
• Photography and/or video of the birth itself, as well as those precious first moments as a family
• So much more!

One of the the biggest bonuses of hiring a doula is that fact that she is a professional birth support person.

Professional Birth Support Is A Skill In It’s Own Right

Doulas are trained in the art of birth support, and have a keen eye and intuition into what a labouring mother needs.

A doula with deal all the little details which a hospital midwife unfortunately does not always have time for (as much as she may want to). And, she’s aware of things your partner may not pick up on, or situations he or she may not know how to deal with.

With a caring and nurturing heart, a doula is able to remain calm and focused if things go off the rails — something which can be very difficult for family members and partners. In the event of a problem or at the peak intensity moments, they can buckle, or get upset, not knowing what to do, say or think.

A doula can think clearly, see pros and cons of any situation and relay them to the couple to make their own decision.

She can help explain what’s happening, with compassion, and without judgment or medical jargon, so it’s easier for everyone to understand.

Birth Doulas and Post-Natal/Postpartum Doulas

There are two types of doulas, birth doulas and postnatal or postpartum doulas. Some doulas perform both roles.

The major difference is that the role of the post-natal doula is to nurture the mother after childbirth.

This may include breastfeeding support, baby wearing assistance, light home duties, massage, emotional and physical support for the mother and so on.

Postnatal doulas are particularly in demand as support for new mothers has reduced in modern society.

Needless to say, studies have shown that postnatal doulas make a huge impact on the wellbeing of mothers.

Where Do Doulas Work?

A doula works in birth centres, private and public hospitals and at homebirth in conjunction with midwives – but never as the sole carer at birth.

Birthing without a midwife or doctor present is known as free-birthing however BellyBelly recommends birth with at least a qualified midwife or doctor.

The Promise Of A Doula

DONA created this fantastic summary of the promise of a doula:

1. You cannot hurt my feelings in labour
2. I won’t lie to you in labour
3. I will do everything in my power so you do not suffer
4. I will help you to feel safe
5. I cannot speak for you; but I will make sure that you have a voice and I will make sure you are heard

Doesn’t that sound fantastic?

What Are The Proven Benefits?

A recent review of many studies from around the world have concluded that a doula’s support is more effective than hospital staff, friends or family. You can read the review here.

Studies (and reviews of the studies) consistently demonstrate very impressive benefits for the mother, father and baby, including:

• Fewer caesarean sections
• Reduction in the use of forceps and vacuum
• Fewer requests for epidurals
• A reduction in the use of synthetic oxytocin (labour hormone) for inductions or augmentations
• Fewer requests for pain medication
• Shorter labour length
• Increased rates of breastfeeding at 6 weeks postpartum
• Higher self-esteem, less anxiety and less depression at 6 weeks postpartum

The benefits are significant. Most of the women in the studies were accompanied by male partners, however study results show that women who had the support of a male partner and a doula fared best, for example, the caesarean rate of women supported by both a male partner and a doula was significantly lower (15.4%) than the caesarean rate for women supported only by their partners (24.4%). The studies also clearly show the positive benefits of doula support occur regardless of a woman’s economic status or whether or not they were privately insured. Its simply about having the right support with you at birth.

What About The Woman’s Partner?

According to studies (and from personal observations in births I have attended) rather than diminishing a partner’s participation in the birth process, a doula’s support complements and reinforces her partner’s role.

Partners report feeling more enthusiastic, and believe their contribution to the labour and birth was meaningful and helpful.

I often find when partners have a visual on how to support a woman – simply from watching a doula support her – they feel more confident and relaxed, having seen some ideas to try themselves.

In the studies, not only did partners report higher levels of satisfaction after the birth, but mothers reported feeling more satisfied with their partners role at birth too.

Over 30% of women reported that their relationships were better post-birth than they were prior to the birth.

Related: 7 Ways Doulas Help Dads And Partners.

What Will My Ob/Hospital/Midwife Say?

Most obstetricians and midwives are very aware of doulas.

Most medical staff are very supportive and not bothered by having a doula present. In fact, obstetricians and doulas rarely cross paths. If they do, it’s often for a very short time.

During a birth I attended some time ago, a student midwife told me her class was currently studying a unit on birth support, and she was very impressed with the benefits and outcomes for women who hired doulas.

There is the occasional story I hear about some obstetricians not wanting a woman to have a doula present.

Ultimately, it’s your own choice as to the level of care you receive.

An obstetrician is not present for you throughout most of the labour, only if you need intervention or to catch the baby (if they make it!).

For this reason, continuous support from a known carer is crucial while you labour – because what happens during the labour can affect the outcome.

It’s also is very telling about the sort of care you may receive during childbirth, if your obstetrician is not open to you looking for ways to help reduce your chances of interventions.

If your care provider is not supportive of you making choices, decisions and avoiding interventions, you may end up feel unsupported and disempowered in labour.

What Training Do Doulas Receive?

The doula training industry in the United States is well established – you can become a certified doula through one of many trainings offered.

In Australia, a doula can train through courses conducted by very experienced doulas – some of which are also midwives, doctors and educators.

Again, this is not medical training – doulas are trained in professional birth support.

As part of a doula’s training, she may be required to read certain materials, attend several births (as an unpaid trainee), write assignments/reports, attend pre-natal education classes and other requirements.

If you are interested to find out more about doula training, see our article, Doula Training In Australia.

What Do Couples Think of Doulas?

Here are a few short testimonials from Australian couples who have used professional birth support:

“A very special thank-you… You made such a difference at the birth for us both, encouraging me when it all seemed too hard and helped me achieve the birth that has given our little girl the best start in life. Thanks for sharing this special time with us.” — Catherine & Jason

“Thank-you for helping us achieve a wonderful birth experience. I felt safe and far more relaxed knowing I had the right support. Everything went exactly as I wished for with minimum intervention and stress! I feel sooooo grateful that we had such a great outcome. I’m sure it is even helping me get through these difficult first months. I now know I CAN get through anything with determination, knowledge and support!” — Meredith & Chris

“Wow I’m still in shock when I think about that long labour and the fantastic result – it was sooo worth it. I truly know that I couldn’t have done it without you – that is a fact. I really can’t thank you enough.” — Bronte & Michael

How Much Does A Doula Cost?

What a doula costs varies greatly. It depends on her years of experience, additional skills, the doula’s location (e.g. demand in that area) and what packages she offers.

In Australia, a package offering a few pre and postnatal visits (generally around 1.5 to 2 hours long each) as well as the duration of the birth, can cost around $800-$1700 for an experienced doula.

Others charge up to $2,000.

Many doulas offer payment plans, to break up the expense. Most doulas also offer reduced rates for those in genuine need.

Inexperienced doulas usually charge a fee of around $250-$300.

Student doulas who are looking for births to complete their training may have no charge at all. However, I recommend giving her some sort of fee for the value of her time and her costs to be there, which may include childcare, petrol, parking, food and anything else.

Doulas often only attend 1-2 births a month, as many are mothers with young children.

Finding last-minute childcare as well as spare time to do visits and attend births is a tricky balance – it often happens during family time on weekends or after hours.

If you actually calculated how much a doula charges, breaking it down to an hourly rate, it’s not significant.

It truly pales in comparison to the massive physical and emotional health benefits for mother, baby and partner.

Postnatal Doulas

After you’ve had your baby, postnatal doulas are worth their weight in gold.

A birth doula may also be a postnatal doula, and some doulas choose to train as post-natal doulas only.

They come into your home and help you out with all sorts of things which will make your days easier and more relaxed.

What a postnatal doula offers is varied, so you need to make sure you check what each postnatal doula offers.

Here are a few things which may or may not be included:

• Breastfeeding support
• Massage
• Infant massage techniques
• Bonding support
• Birth debriefing/counselling
• Cleaning
• Cooking
• Driving/running errands
• Settling/sleep help with baby

Overnight doulas stay with you and help overnight.

Packages and prices vary depending on what’s on offer. I’ve seen prices start around $25 per hour up to around $110 per hour, with most being around the $55-$70 mark.

Make sure you clearly communicate what you want and don’t want, to ensure there are no miscommunications and your expectations are realistic.

For example, some doulas are happy to help with cleaning or attending to older siblings, and others aren’t.

Choosing Your Perfect Doula

It can be tempting to go with the first doula you meet (because they’re all pretty special!) but I do recommend speaking to several doulas.

Every doula is unique and has something different to offer.

Some doulas specialise in certain areas, such as VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section), homebirth, high risk, twins, pregnancy after loss and others.

You’ll have a unique energy with those you meet – it can take a few to know which one feels best. But you will quickly know who you click with!

It’s important for your partner to be present when you meet any potential doulas.

Both partners should feel assured and comfortable around their doula, in order to share such a special, vulnerable moment.

Locate Potential Doulas in BellyBelly’s Marketplace

Interested in finding a doula? Check out the BellyBelly Marketplace.

You can also download a copy of our Doula Interview Sheet if you aren’t sure what to ask during an interview.