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What Do Birth Doulas Do?



“I’m a doula - a professional birth coach and educator.”

That became easier to say about year ago. Before then, I stumbled over my words explaining to people what a doula is.

 

A doula is a professional birthing assistant. “Doula” is Greek, meaning, “a woman’s servant”, which can be modernized to mean, “a mother’s helper”. A recent study produced by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) shows that the use of a doula has drastically improved the outcome for women nationally with increasingly healthier and easier births.*

 

We have seen the photos of mothers laboring and the people (doctors, midwives, nurses, doulas, families) supporting them. We have a basic understanding of what each of these individuals do during the entire pregnancy and birth. But what do doulas do?

(I can't answer for all my doulas. Just like in our personalities, we are very different from one another; however, I want to give you a peek into what I do as a doula.)

PRENATAL VISITS

 

During prenatal visits, doulas get to know the mother and her desires for birth. Most doulas make a "birth plan”, which is simply the direction you would like for your birth to go while maintaining your comfort zone. This includes who you would like in the room, how you would like to be monitored, pain management, preferences for the newborn, etc. “Birth education" and “phases of labor” are a few other topics to be discussed, as well as what happens when you go into labor. Many doulas incorporate pain management techniques to practice at home, based on your desires. 

 

I encourage spouses to attend at least one prenatal visit. The bond between the doula and mother is the most important, but the doula and spouse (or future grandparent, or friend, or who ever will be assisting during the birth) should not be forgotten. Joined with the forces of a doula, a mother's birth team can be exactly what she needs for productive laboring.

 

BIRTH

 

It's the middle of the night, and your Braxton Hicks contractions woke you up abruptly. Is it labor? Or your water broke. Or the mucous plug came out. Or you're past your due date. What do you do?

 

No matter what, contractions are the signal that things are progressing. Give both your doula and care provider a warning that things are moving along, then do your best to rest and ease your way through. Most births progress very slowly, so it's always better to have slept and eaten. This part is called "laboring at home".

 

When your contractions are 5 (some say 4) minutes apart, 1 minute long, for 1 hour, your doula usually arrives. Sometimes doulas will meet you at the birthing facility. As birth draws nearer, your doula and birth team will work with you to make peaceful and calm adjustments physically, emotionally, and mentally. Some women spend this time resting in bed or using hydrotherapy, while some move around. Some women need the extra hands to put pressure on her hips or back. While doing this, doulas are monitoring contractions and waiting for birth signals. 

 

During transition, doulas and the birth team can help the mother by supporting her body and encouraging her. Doulas and care providers work in sync with one another, the doula being aware and perceptive of the mother and the care provider watching out for health issues. They continue to observe the mother and infant until the birthing process is complete. Doulas who have completed birth doula training and/or certification have the required knowledge for assisting in births that progress too quickly for a doctor or midwife to arrive. In many cases, babies enter the world without complications. So even if you plan on using medication during labor, having a doula is still a great asset, especially before arriving at the birth location.

 

Doulas leave only after the mother and infant are comfortably settled and rested, usually an hour or two after birth. 

 

POSTPARTUM

 

The final doula visit is usually done within the first week after birth. What we doulas look for is strong signs of progressive healing in the parent, in which case the doula is no longer needed. Sometimes, that is not the case. Breasts become engorged, babies don't always sleep, uteruses can be slow to heal, just to name a few things. Doulas are wonderful at caring for the physical and emotional healing in their clients during this delicate healing time. 

 

I like to use this postpartum visit to discuss the birth with the mother. Debriefing the birth helps everyone understand any confusing areas in their memory. Having an educated doula explain the finer points can help fill the birthing story.

 

Some doulas encapsulate placentas within a few days of the birth. Look up more information on this awesome feature if you are interested.

 

Again - all doulas are different! This is a minimal description of what I do during a birth doula service. Other doulas may do less or more, depending on their style. Communicating your desires is extremely important, so don't forget to talk with your doula and your birth team!

 

HOW MUCH IS A BIRTH DOULA SERVICE? 

 

Doulas come in a wide range of prices, from free all the way up to $1k or more. "Who doesn't want free doula service?" you might be thinking, understandably, but I would like to remind you that money is value. The price of a doula reflects their reliability to be there when you need them, their ability to attend your birth, their entire course training for certification, their knowledge and experience, and any equipment they might use. A "free" doula will spend money from their own pocket in travel, education, and other expenses to attend a clients birth, and therefore could be less reliable to follow through. Basically, you get what you pay for.

Also, keep in mind, most doulas only take on a few clients at a time so they do not become overbooked. Make sure your doula has an open calendar around your due date, and if not, ask them for doula recommendations. Make sure your preferred doula is in your area, or offer to cover the extra mileage.

Having the right doula to support your birth experience is the ultimate goal. Shopping around for the perfect birth doula to add to your birthing team is easier than you think - just start looking!

INTERESTED IN GOLDEN MOON BIRTHS?

Click here to schedule a complimentary consultation with me, Hannah Harkins, and we can discuss your expectations and desires for a fully supported birth experience.

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