What is a Birth Doula?

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word doula as ‘a person trained to provide advice, information, emotional support, and physical comfort to a mother before, during, and just after childbirth’.

Doulas work to create a positive birth environment by providing continuous labor support, helping your partner to be involved, offering physical comfort measures, emotional support and encouragement. Doulas want to equip you with the confidence to become an active member in your decision making team and help you and our partner become a stronger team together through pregnancy, childbirth and early postpartum. The primary responsibility of a doula is to ensure that you feel safe, supported, listened to and fully supported.

As your Birth Doula, I WILL:

  • Provide phone and email support throughout pregnancy

  • Pray with you and for you during pregnancy, labor and the first few weeks postpartum.

  • Help you create your birth and postpartum plans.

  • Provide you with research based information on a variety of pregnancy topics.

  • Share list of recommended local practitioners and other birth related community resources.

  • Help communicate your needs to your family and health care providers if needed.

  • Be an advocate for you with your health care team if necessary, to ensure informed consent or nonconsent requirements are being met.

  • Strive to reduce feelings of tension and fear and increase feelings of safety and confidence during labor and postpartum.

  • Support you and your family however YOU need support during labor.

  • Prepare you for birth as best as I can physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

As your Birth Doula, I WILL NOT:

  • Offer medical advice

  • Perform any medical procedures i.e vaginal exams

  • Replace your partner, instead I encourage participation from your partner and support wherever I can.

  • Speak for you, instead I aim to help amplify your own voice and teach you how best to advocate for yourself during this huge life event.

  • Push my own personal views regarding birth unto you. I am here to support you through whatever decisions you feel are best for you and baby.

Benefits of having a Birth Doula

  • Fewer requests for pain medication

  • Less likely to need medical interventions

  • Reduced likelihood of cesarean birth

  • Reduces the time spent in labor

  • More positive long term memories

  • Greater satisfaction with overall birth experience

  • Improved postpartum mental health

  • Increased confidence and self esteem

  • Decreased anxiety

  • Provides family bonding and support for partners and siblings

  • Increases your success with breastfeeding