Using a Birth Doula

What Is a Doula?
Doula, in ancient Greek, means "woman's servant." Today a birth doula can be a woman's greatest ally during labor and delivery. As a private labor coach, most birth doulas are certified and have experience coaching women through the experience of childbirth. They care for a woman's emotional needs during labor and delivery. A birth doula is not the same as a midwife, who often has medical training and certification and aids in the physical delivery of your child.

Another type of doula is a postpartum doula, who will help the new mom after her baby is born. A postpartum doula may help with cooking, light housework, running errands, helping with breastfeeding concerns and caring for the new baby. Postpartum doulas generally do not have medical degrees or experience, but they are trained in caring for new parents and their new baby after birth.

An antepartum doula is a doula who has been trained to work with women who are considered high risk, pregnant women on bed rest or pregnant women with a medical concern. Like a birth doula and postpartum doula, an antepartum doula is not a medical professional. Their role is to support and comfort the mother.

Why Should You Use a Doula?
A doula is there just for you, which can be comforting when nurses and doctors are coming and going. An experienced doula can lead to a mother in labor feeling comfortable and confident in a process she may otherwise know nothing about. A doula can also be reassuring to an insecure partner, who may find that a knowledgeable and caring person by their loved one's bedside takes some of the pressure off of them. A doula can also help the partner know what to do to ease the woman's pain while she is in labor.

Another benefit to doulas is that they can explain what is going on to the mother. Although doctors and nurses are fully capable of this, a doula has the time and focus to answer any questions that the mother may have.

A doula is not a medical professional and will not replace any of the staff at the hospital or other location where you give birth. Their primary task is to care for the woman in labor and make labor as comfortable as possible.

The Downside to a Doula
Sometimes the father doesn't understand why his partner would want to use a doula and can feel left out. Before you decide if a doula is right for you, make sure you talk it over with your husband or partner. A partner might also feel uncomfortable with the idea of somebody stepping in to their "role" in labor and delivery. A doula is not there to replace the partner, however; they are knowledgeable professionals with expertise in easing the discomfort of delivery.

What Will it Cost?
Doulas practice in three ways: as hospital employees, volunteers in community programs and through private firms. A doula is rarely covered by health insurance, so hiring one may range from a couple of hundred to a thousand dollars. 

How to Find a Doula
You may be able to find a doula through your current health provider. You may also want to try a friend's referral or ask your childbirth instructor. 

Doulas of North America can also help you find a doula in your area. You can reach them at www.dona.org or call (888) 788-3662.