stephaniepdoula.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Get Informed
What is a doula?
As defined by DONA, a doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to their client before, during and shortly after childbirth to help them achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.
Doulas also assist expecting families in locating and accessing other local resources (such as providers, chiropractors, therapists, lactation support, etc.) that will help them have the best chance at achieving the birth and postpartum experience they are hoping for.
What is the difference between doulas and midwives?
There are several difference between doulas and midwives, most notably that midwives are trained medical professionals that primarily oversee the physical health of you and your baby during the pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period .
While doulas are an integral part of the birth team, they are not there to take the place of midwives, doctors or nurses. Rather each brings unique skill sets and experience to the birth team. As a doula, I do no attend births where no primary provider has been hired.
This is not my first birth, why might it still be beneficial to hire a doula?
However much we know about birth in general, we know nothing about a particular birth. We must let it unfold with its own uniqueness. -Elizabeth Noble
Having continuous labor support is associated with tons of benefits including, but not limited to, shorter labor times, fewer requests for pain medication, higher overall satisfaction with the birthing experience, increased chances of spontaneous vaginal birth, and higher APGAR scores for babies. Having the support of a doula carries virtually no risk, but has countless benefits, whether this is your first birth, or your fifth.
Learn more from Evidence Based Birth and DONA.
My partner is worried that hiring a doula will take their place during my birth.
Partners are an invaluable asset to the birth team. They play a unique roll in that while they are there to support you, this is also their birthing experience as well. There can be a tremendous amount of pressure to uphold your plans while also processing their own emotions and desires. With a doula's guidance, partners can be more involved, not less. I love this quote by Pam England-
In short, a doula is not there to take the place of your partner. Rather we are there to help make sense of what is happening during the birthing process and to refine the support that they bring to the table. After all, they are the expert on you, doulas are the experts on birth, and together, we can provide a full spectrum of support.
Asking your husband to be your sole guide through labor is like asking him to lead the way on a climb of Mt. Everest. He may be smart and trustworthy, and you may love him, but in the Himalayas you’d both be a lot better off with a Sherpa!