Birth Doula FAQs

Questions Frequently Asked about Birth Doulas

Utilizing a Doula at your Birth has Shown to:
Shorten labor by an average of 98 minutes

Decrease the chance of cesarean section by up to 51%

Decrease use of pain medication by 30-60%

Help father/partner participate with confidence

Increase success in breastfeeding

Increase satisfaction with overall birth experience

Reduce the use of forceps/vacuum by 57%

Reduce the use of pitocin by up to 71%

To answer more of your questions, download a sample birth doula contract

What is a birth doula?
A doula is someone who offers emotional, physical, and informational support throughout labor and delivery. She does not replace your partner. A doula enhanced the partner’s ability to support you in the most effective ways possible. A doula is with the laboring couple as an advocate and supporter, offering knowledge of techniques to make the labor process a more positive experience. Doulas help with labor positions and comfort measures, offering a nurturing touch to help you have the most empowering birth possible.

Does a birth doula do anything medical?
No, a doula does not do anything medical, no vaginal exams, temperatures, IV's, nothing medical. The doula will not deliver the baby or give a medical diagnosis. Nurturing the Mother Doula Care also does not attend UC births.

Are all doulas created equal?
All doulas are different! Each has their own style, speciality and personality. They also sometimes have their own birth philosophy. It is important to find a doula that you are comfortable with. Interview several before commiting yourself.

Do all doulas have training?
Not all doulas have formal training. So it is important to check into credentials and experience when choosing your doula.

Aren't the nurses there to do what a doula does?
Not really. They would like to be, but nurses are in and out of the room, changing shifts and tending to other patients. When they are with you they are there to do medical procedures, like blood pressure, tempatures, fetal heart rates and assisting the care provider. Very little time, if any, is available for a mother's emotional and physical comfort.

What happens if I need a cesearean?
If you were to have a cesarean then you may have the option of having the doula stay with you while your partner would go with the baby. Some hospitals will let both the partner and the doula into the operating room, unless it is an emergency c-section and the mother is under general anesthesia. It is best to talk about this ahead of time with your care provider.

What kinds of things does the birth doula do?
A doula helps with things like positioning, emotional support, labor support, birthing techniques, massage, explaining procedures/technical terms and giving information to awaiting family. Most importantly a doula provides continual presence and reassurance

My partner will support me. Why should we use a birth doula?
Your husband is the best person to provide emotional support during your labor and delivery. No one knows you better or cares more. A doula can help your husband with techniques for physical comfort measures to enable him to provide the most effective support possible. A doula is also there for your husband. She will work to emotionally support him also. Finally, this is the birth of his baby, as well. Having a doula can help him to relax a little more and enjoy the birth of his child.

Will a birth doula exclude or replace having my partner in the delivery room?
This is the most frequent question, but no, the doula will help not only you as an additional coach, but a doula will also support your partner; the doula will help your partner help you.

I plan on getting an epidural. How will a birth doula help me?
A doula can help with comfort measures during contractions until you have entered the active phase of labor when you will be allowed the epidural. Once you have received the epidural, the doula will stay and help you to relax and will be there if your partner needs a break. Your doula will help with encouragement during the pushing stage, which is often longer when an edpiduarl is used, and will help with breastfeeding after your baby is born.

This is not my first baby, why should I hire a birth doula?
You may feel that you are now well versed in the aspects of labor and delivery but it’s good to remember not every birth is the same. A mother also can always use the extra support because labor and delivery is always overwhelming in some way. Your partner will be able to concentrate more fully on you and the baby when there is someone else to help with comfort measures and make sure you are both cared for.

I am having a scheduled c-section, do woman still hire a doula for those situations?
Yes, a doula can still be a good support person and very useful in many ways. A doula would stay with you and your partner during the delivery. Then the couple can choose whether to have the partner go with the baby to the nursery while the mother is in finishing up and recovery or the doula could go, no one needs to be alone. A doula has been trained in then knowledge of the technical aspects of c-sections and can help explain and reassure you during the operation. A doula would also help you stay comfortable after the operation, and assist with breastfeeding in the beginning. Getting permission to have a doula and a partner attend the c-section would need to be arranged with the hospital in advance.

I have a great OB. Do I also need a birth doula?
It’s very important to feel confident about your care provider. But doctors cannot stay during the entire labor. Care providers can support parents, but also must focus on the medical aspects of childbirth. Your care provider and doula will make a great team for your total support and well-being.

I am having a homebirth, do doulas attend homebirth and is it good to have a doula at a homebirth?
Nurturing the Mother Doula Care does attend homebirth. There are lots of resons for having a doula at ahomebirth. A lot of homebirthers appreciate the need of extra support and choose to have a doula as well (I would guess well over 60%.) Some of this is because midwives, though supportive of birth and the mother, also spend more time pre-occupied with midwifery things. Setting up, blood pressure, intermittent fetal monitoring, some checking of dilation, checking in with other mothers on the phone that may be in early labor, ect. Midwives often come much later than a doula usually does, but they stay much longer (after the birth) than a doula usually would, as well. The "touchy-feely-ness" of midwives vary too. Some are very intent on their job, others are able to see the whole picture during labor and delivery and offer the verbal and physical comfort when able to. A midwife also has to be at your "south end" during one of the most intense phases, pushing, leaving "only" your partner at your head for moral support (more pressure put on him for support and often the dad wants to WATCH the baby come out!) A doula WILL stay at your head! Also, it is often that a mother gets to know her doula on more of a peer level and the midwife remains more of a medical professional, so that the feeling that comes from the support is sometimes more nurturing from a doula then a midwife.