Regardless of your desired birth type (unmedicated, epidural, a planned elective cesarean, etc.), growing numbers of mamas are looking to reduce their risks of birth trauma, and a doula can help you get the birth experience you desire! But what is a doula? What is a postpartum doula or a doula vs midwife? Let’s find out!
What is a Doula?
A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a mother before, during, and shortly after childbirth. Doulas help the mother to achieve the healthiest and most empowering experience possible.
Doulas do not have medical training but are trained in their knowledge of childbirth and some breastfeeding. They can also act as a mediator and advocate for what you vocalize that you desire during birth, translate medical terms, and explain procedures to you!
Your doula can accompany you whether you have a birth at the hospital, a birthing center, or your home!
Plus, if you find a doula who is also a certified childbirth educator, that could benefit you even more! Click here to learn more! (coming soon!)
Before your birth, a doula will also educate you on the process of childbirth to help you feel more comfortable. They can also help prepare you for labor by informing you of many natural pain management and relaxation techniques. Your doula will try different combinations to find the right one for you!
What a Doula Doesn’t Do:
A doula will never push your partner aside. Having a doula will actually help your partner get more involved in helping you during childbirth.
They will teach your partner techniques such as counterpressure so that they can be involved and feel helpful to you during your labor.
In addition to a doula helping your partner help you, a doula can help relax your partner if they become overwhelmed or anxious. This will also, in turn, allow you to relax!
What are the Benefits of Hiring a Doula?
Evidence shows that if you have a doula at your birth:
- You’re 39% less likely to have a cesarean birth or other interventions
- There’s a 15% increase in your likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth
- There’s a 10% decrease in the use of medications for pain relief
- You’re likely to have a shorter labor by 41 minutes on average
- There’s a 38% decrease in the baby’s risk of a low five-minute APGAR score
- There’s a 31% decrease in your risk of being dissatisfied with your birth experience
Women who had a doula at their birth also had a near-universal breastfeeding initiation of 97.9%, compared with 80.8% of the general population.
A doula will typically meet with you before the birth, stay with you during the entire labor and delivery process, and often make one or two postpartum follow-up visits.
They can also check on your breastfeeding progress during the postpartum visit and ensure your baby is latching on correctly.
What Training Do Doulas Have?
The largest and most well-known certification program is provided by DONA International.
DONA-approved workshops provide a minimum of 16 hours of instruction time, emphasizing hands-on techniques, birth history, hiring a doula, and how doulas can benefit families.
But remember, there are other credible programs for doulas! Such as These Are My Hours, The International Childbirth Education Association, and more!
When Should You Hire a Doula?
I recommend my clients begin searching and interviewing local doulas by about week 12 of pregnancy. You must think, “That is way earlier than I thought!” However, considering that an experienced doula’s schedule can fill up quickly with repeat clients and growing referrals, it’s much better to begin searching early and get yourself a fantastic doula.
When choosing a doula, be sure to find someone you connect with and trust. Don’t settle for someone you don’t like too much because they will be supporting you throughout your entire birth experience.
By week 20 of your pregnancy, you should have regular appointments with your birth doula. Later, your doula should meet with you around the 7th month of pregnancy to discuss your birth plan.
Creating a birth plan helps you communicate your wishes during your labor and birth experience. A birth plan also helps you learn about options you would have never known about for your labor, birth, and beyond!
If you’d like this birth plan template, fill out the pop-up on my website! The Birthing Balance Birth Plan will show you all the options you can learn about in The Balanced Birth Course (Coming soon!), then the last page of the birth plan provides a template to write out your wishes in a list format so that there’s nothing written on your birth plan that you do not want!
How Do You Find One?
To find a DONA-certified doula, go to DONA.org and “find a doula.” From there, you’ll be able to search your zip code and obtain the contact information from the doulas in your area.
Other resources you can use for finding a doula include:
- Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA)
- DONA International
- Birthing From Within
- DoulaMatch.net
- Doula Trainings International
- Hypnobabies, which certifies doulas who specialize in Hypnobirthing
- National Black Doulas Association (NBDA), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help connect Black families to certified Black doulas throughout the U.S.
Pro Tip: If a doula has a website, check it out before scheduling an interview to help get to know a little more about them!
How Much Does a Doula Cost?
Most insurances do not cover a doula’s costs because they work for themselves and typically not with a company once they are certified.
A doula’s cost can range from $800-$2,500, with an average price of around $1,200.
Some doulas charge by the hour, while others have a flat fee. Their services include a prenatal visit, labor and delivery, and a postpartum follow-up.
Remember, most insurances do not cover a doula’s costs because they work for themselves and typically not with a company once they are certified.
Still, call your insurance company’s benefits department to get details. After you pay your doula, you can get a detailed receipt and submit a reimbursement claim.
Doula vs Midwife
As mentioned above, doulas do not have medical training, whereas a certified or registered midwife does. Furthermore, a midwife’s job is to provide medical care, informed decision-making, and monitoring for your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery.
While as we mentioned, a birth doula’s scope of practice includes participating in your birth education, advocating for you during your labor and birth, and providing physical and emotional support to you during labor.
What is a Postpartum Doula?
A postpartum doula is trained to help new moms and parents in the early postpartum weeks.
They are trained to help with baby care, such as bathing, diapering, swaddling, sleeping, nursing, and more!
Postpartum doulas can also help with cleaning and laundry while assisting the parents with their new baby.
They’re there to advise you and give you the confidence to care for your baby (not be a nanny) and a lookout for any postpartum depression, anxiety, etc.
Postpartum doulas cost anywhere between $25-$50 per hour. And if you’re interested in hiring one, be sure to ask your candidates for their specific certifications. Some doulas are trained specifically for childbirth, and a postpartum doula has a different certification.
Sources
Doula support compared to standard care
Doulas ease stress and increase birth satisfaction
Impact of doulas on healthy birth outcomes
DISCLAIMER: This post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding you or your baby’s health. Please read my Medical Disclaimer for more info
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