Culturally,
using a doula is embedded in honouring the feminine wisdom of matrescence. Throughout many cultures, and history, birth has primarily been a woman’s space. Women have always supported other women during the transformative journey of childbirth. Being a doula means recognising the inherent strength and intuition of women and the knowledge they have of their own bodies and babies. Just the simple presence of a doula can lead to a more positive experience of birth by ensuring you are seen, held and nurtured throughout your pregnancy, birth and postpartum.
What Does a Doula Do?
Doulas provide emotional and physical support, helping you feel nurtured throughout your pregnancy, birth, and beyond. While We don't replace the role of a partner, instead we complement their support, ensuring you have birth support dedicated to your well-being.
Difference Between a Doula and a Midwife
The main difference between a midwife and doula is that a midwife provides medical and clinical support. Midwives can also provide emotional, informational support however, midwives caseloads tend to be larger than doulas.
Impact on Birth Experience and Outcomes
There are so many amazing benefits to hiring a doula! Shorter labours, reduced intervention rates, doulas soften clinical hospital environments, provide oxytocin boosting connections, improved breastfeeding outcomes and overall, mothers who have had doula support report feeling extremely content with their birth experience.
Support for Partners and Other Support Persons
Doulas not only support the birthing woman but also their partners and other support persons. Having a doula present can provide an additional source of information and support, enhancing the overall birth experience for everyone involved. Sometimes its amazing for your partner to have another friendly face to look at for reassurance, a birth companion that you can rely on that is there for you and only you. Particularly when entering the hospital system, doulas can provide much needed continuity of care.
Support for high risk pregnancies
Doulas can provide valuable support during high-risk pregnancies and medical complications. While we cannot provide medical advice, we can offer emotional support, help navigate complex medical information, and advocate for your preferences with your care providers. We can also research together and just be with you in those moments of need.
The numbers on doula support:
- 39% decrease in risk of cesarean
- 15% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous birth
- 10% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief
- 31% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with your birth.
— Evidence based birth
References
- Sobczak, A., Taylor, L., Solomon, S., Ho, J., Kemper, S., Phillips, B., Jacobson, K., Castellano, C., Ring, A., Castellano, B., & Jacobs, R. J. (2023). The Effect of Doulas on Maternal and Birth Outcomes: A Scoping Review. Cureus, 15(5), e39451.
- Evidence Based Birth. (n.d.). The Evidence for Doulas. Originally published on March 27, 2013, and updated on April 17, 2024 by Rebecca Dekker, PhD, RN, Sara Ailshire, MA, and Ihotu Ali, MPH.
- Bohren, M. A., Hofmeyr, G. J., Sakala, C., Fukuzawa, R. K., & Cuthbert, A. (2017). Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2017(7), CD003766.
- Campbell, D., Scott, K. D., Klaus, M. H., & Falk, M. (2007). Female relatives or friends trained as labor doulas: Outcomes at 6 to 8 weeks postpartum. Birth, 34(3), 220-227.
- McGrath SK, Kennell JH. A randomized controlled trial of continuous labor support for middle-class couples: effect on cesarean delivery rates. Birth. 2008 Jun;35(2):92-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1523-536X.2008.00221.x. PMID: 18507579.