What is a Doula? This is a common reaction when people hear about my doula work. A good amount of the time someone does know generally about what a doula does, but more often than not, I have to explain, which it totally fine. I love talking about my work. That being said, there are a lot of misconceptions around Doula work, so I decided I am going to write out exactly what a Doula does and doesn’t do. I will draw out the lines between me and care providers, hopefully clear up any confusion that surrounds this awesome job.
A Doula is like a Midwife:
There is a common misconception that doulas can replace Midwives or Doctors. This is entirely untrue. Sometime there are Midwives with doula training and that is wonderful, but it is hard to do both jobs. A doula’s job is the emotional and physical support of the birthing person. Doula’s do not perform cervical checks, prescribe medication or deliver babies. The main focus is on the birthing person, and how they are coping with the birth. A doula helps focus breathing, holds the birthing person when needed, gives massages as well as counter pressure, and also can give the partner of the birthing person a break, so that they can be rested and at their best to support the birthing person. Think of a Doula as your personal aide. Whatever you need, they will do or retrieve.
A Doula can provide Prenatal Education:
This is absolutely true! A doula should be able to support you before your birth by teaching you about informed consent, and what will be happening in your body before, during and after birth. They might use props, or visual aids to help you understand all that you want to know. A doula gives you all the information you desire, so ask away. If the doula does not know, they should be able to find out information for you.
A Doula is for Home Births ONLY:
This is also a common myth. Doula’s are able to attend hospital as well as home births, and they can also support through a c-section, if the birthing person desires. A doula will meet you where ever you are most comfortable with birthing, and, if you cannot be where you want, a doula can help make the situation, and location more comfortable to help you get as close to the environment you desired as possible. Do you want low lighting in the room? The doula can make sure that happens when possible. Would you like to have music playing in the birthing area? A doula can set that up. Need support in the shower or in the bathroom? If you are comfortable with that, a doula can support you there. Want a nice juicy hamburger after the baby is born? If the care provider gives the okay, a doula can find, and deliver that to you .
A Doula can offer Alternate Pain Management Support:
This is true! A doula is trained in alternate pain management methods and can help remind you and your partner about them when in labour. During labour, and especially during transition, it can be very hard for the birthing person and the partner to remember what was taught in prenatal classes. A doula, being an outside person, will be able to remember and help you execute these methods. Some of the methods include, heat, massage, and different positions for the birthing person to be in.
A Doula takes the place of your Partner:
Not true at all. A doula’s job is to support you, and that can include your partner. A doula should facilitate the relationship between you and your partner during your labour and birth. Reminding you to slow dance with your partner, bringing them some coffee, showing them how to massage you, and even sometimes partnering with them to hold you up when you cannot stand or need support during the pushing stage.
A Doula can shorten your Labour and Help Lessen your Pain:
Having someone to encourage you, and help you manage the pain, is always helpful. But having someone who can help focus you and keep you from panicking is wonderful. Whether its your partner or a doula focusing you, having your mind in the right place can help labour go more smoothly. When you stay calm between contractions, your body will naturally release endorphins, which is the body’s pain-killer. When you relax between contractions, your pain tolerance will naturally raise as you get closer to the birth of your baby. Adrenaline, which is also naturally produced by the body, can cause your pain tolerance to drop. Adrenaline and endorphins fight against each other, and usually adrenaline wins. Causing the contractions to seem even more intense and painful. A doula can help focus and relax you, which will stimulate your brain to produce more endorphins, which in turn will help the contractions seem more doable and not as painful.
A Doula can make Decisions during Birth:
This is a common misconception. A doula is an advocate for the birthing person and their partner. But the advocacy is defined as supporting the birthing person in the right that they have to make decision about their body. A doula should not really be talking much to the care provider about medical procedures, or decisions. The care provider takes care of the medical side of things, and the doula takes care of the supporting side. When there is a decision that needs to be made that is NOT a life or death emergency, a care provider should ask the birthing person, or their partner about what they want to do. A doula does not really have any business pushing what they think the birthing person wants. A doula will teach the birthing person and partner, how to give consent, and make good, informed decisions, but unless there is a human rights violation, the doula should not be speaking up to the care provider as that can inflame a situation. A doula should never push their own agenda, or bias into someone else’s birthing space!
A Doula can offer Breastfeeding and Postpartum Support:
A doula’s job doesn’t have to end after the birth, and it can be so helpful to hire a doula for afterwards. A postpartum doula can support you with breastfeeding and get you lots of information on it. A doula can also come do some light housework for you as well as watch the baby while you nap or shower. Some doula’s can even be hired for an overnight shift with baby. They can wake up with baby, or hold baby all night if needed, bringing baby to you if baby is breastfeeding, or giving baby a bottle, so you and your partner can have a good nights rest.
There are many more myths and truths about doula work and eventually doulas will be more common place and more will be known about the effect they have on the birthing process. I hope you have enjoyed this post and perhaps learned something you did not know before. If you have anymore questions feel free to message me on Facebook, or Instagram or send me a message through my contact page.
For more information on doulas and how they can benefit your birth check out this link https://evidencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-for-doulas/
Beyond Measure Doula Services 