Benefits of hiring a doula
I hear a lot of birthworkers say things like “in a perfect world, no one would need a doula,” but I don’t necessarily agree. Let’s talk about what a doula is, the history of “doulas,” and the purpose they serve on your birth team.
WHAT IS A DOULA
In simplest terms, a doula is a support person dedicated solely to you on your birth team. They provide various types of support with most doulas specializing in certain types of support and having their own style (though most good doulas do provide all types of support, but to various degrees). Support includes physical support, emotional support, educational support, and advocacy support. While some doulas focus primarily on emotional support and include some education and physical support, other doulas may focus primarily on advocacy and education while still offering emotional and physical support, but it isn’t their primary focus.
Unlike medical providers, a doula’s attention in not split between multiple patients or clients. Because of this, they are able to provide constant care and coaching throughout labor (National Museum of African American History & Culture).
THE HISTORY
The word doula comes from the ancient Greek word doulē which translates to “female servant.”
Throughout all of history and across cultures, women have supported other women through the process of giving birth. This support is depicted in art in many cultures and could have taken the form of emotional and physical support, but also educational support from community members who have experience with childbirth to newer birthing people. This role was sometimes taken by midwives, but in other circumstances the role of a labor support person was filled by female family members such as mothers and grandmothers (Motherhood Center).
The modern doula movement emerged in the 1970s with the word doula in use since the 1960s (Motherhood Center). Doulas became popular in the 1980s due to a need for greater emotional support and public fears perpetuated about the home birth movement in the 1970s. This also ultimately led to the development of Doulas of North America (later, DONA International) which was a non-profit organization and now trains and certifies doulas internationally (National Museum of African American History & Culture).
THEIR BENEFITS TODAY & IN THE FUTURE
Doulas provide a variety of benefits including:
higher birth satisfaction rates
lower (unplanned) cesarean rates
lower intervention rates
lower medication rates for birthing people seeking to limit or avoid medication during labor
educational and advocacy support to help people make informed decisions about their care
emotional support throughout the transition of becoming a parent and to increase coping during labor
physical support (and knowledge about physical comfort measures) to increase comfort and coping during labor
continuous care with follow up both before and after the birth in order to provide connection, community, and a sense of continuity
There are so many other benefits that come from hiring someone you trust and who listens to you throughout your pregnancy and birth. If you ever have any questions about how a doula could benefit you, what doula support looks like, or how to find a doula (even if I’m not the right fit for you!), please feel free to reach out any time.
With so much love,
Kyra
