Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly does a doula do?
A doula does what women have done for each other from the beginning of time, she provides comfort, shares knowledge, and guides a woman in labor towards her goals and the healthy birth of her child. In times past, a woman would be surrounded by her extended family and friends. She would have grown up around childbirth, breastfeeding, and childrearing. As we moved into the modern era, birth left the home and today most women never witness an actual birth before they give birth to their own child. The Doula profession has risen in response to the desire for women to be nurtured and educated during pregnancy, at birth, and immediately afterwards.
Does a doula take the place of the woman’s partner?
Absolutely Not! Your partner is having this baby too and deserves support! A doula supports the entire family, making sure that the partner is engaged to their comfort and needs. Often a doula will spend time encouraging the partner that they are able to support you in labor, explaining and reassuring the natural phases of labor. A doula can also provide a respite for the partner allowing them to sleep or eat without feeling like they are leaving you alone or unsupported. Remember, after the birth a doula will go home and sleep, not take care of a new baby!
Does a doula take the place of a nurse?
No. A doula's expertise is in the normal variations of labor and her job is to help you with non-medical pain relief such as walking, positioning, breathing and other ways of coping during labor. Medical procedures are outside the scope of a doula, and although a doula can provide you with much of the information you need to make an informed decision, a doula cannot tell you which the best medical decision would be. If you are giving birth in the hospital, a nurse will most likely be in charge of making sure that you and your baby are medically stable. If you are giving birth at home, a midwife will be in charge of monitoring you and your baby.
What if I don't want a natural birth?
Doulas support mothers who choose narcotic pain relief or epidural in different ways than the support for natural childbirth. Since these procedures generally require you to remain in bed and all of them require at least an IV and fetal monitoring, the doula will shift her focus from walking pain relief to comfort and encouraging you to rest, drink and look to the birth of your child. Epidurals and pain relief are not always effective and it can take a long time for a busy maternity ward to provide them. A doula is skilled in comfort measures to help you cope regardless of how you give you birth. A doula's job is provide support, education and advocacy to make sure that you have the best birth experience.
What if I have a cesarean section?
If you have a cesarean section and do not have a partner (or your partner is unavailable), the doula will accompany you throughout the surgery, from the time you arrive at the hospital until your baby is in your arms or otherwise medically stable. If you have a partner or another support person you want in the room, your doula may not be allowed in surgery according to the hospital's policies. However, a doula will come to the hospital and stay with you and your support team from the time you are admitted until your baby has been returned to you. If your vaginal labor ends with cesarean birth, a doula will be with you until you and your baby are stable and you are out of the recovery room. If you are planning an elective cesarean and choose not to have a doula present at the birth, we are happy to provide postpartum services, where available.
A doula does what women have done for each other from the beginning of time, she provides comfort, shares knowledge, and guides a woman in labor towards her goals and the healthy birth of her child. In times past, a woman would be surrounded by her extended family and friends. She would have grown up around childbirth, breastfeeding, and childrearing. As we moved into the modern era, birth left the home and today most women never witness an actual birth before they give birth to their own child. The Doula profession has risen in response to the desire for women to be nurtured and educated during pregnancy, at birth, and immediately afterwards.
Does a doula take the place of the woman’s partner?
Absolutely Not! Your partner is having this baby too and deserves support! A doula supports the entire family, making sure that the partner is engaged to their comfort and needs. Often a doula will spend time encouraging the partner that they are able to support you in labor, explaining and reassuring the natural phases of labor. A doula can also provide a respite for the partner allowing them to sleep or eat without feeling like they are leaving you alone or unsupported. Remember, after the birth a doula will go home and sleep, not take care of a new baby!
Does a doula take the place of a nurse?
No. A doula's expertise is in the normal variations of labor and her job is to help you with non-medical pain relief such as walking, positioning, breathing and other ways of coping during labor. Medical procedures are outside the scope of a doula, and although a doula can provide you with much of the information you need to make an informed decision, a doula cannot tell you which the best medical decision would be. If you are giving birth in the hospital, a nurse will most likely be in charge of making sure that you and your baby are medically stable. If you are giving birth at home, a midwife will be in charge of monitoring you and your baby.
What if I don't want a natural birth?
Doulas support mothers who choose narcotic pain relief or epidural in different ways than the support for natural childbirth. Since these procedures generally require you to remain in bed and all of them require at least an IV and fetal monitoring, the doula will shift her focus from walking pain relief to comfort and encouraging you to rest, drink and look to the birth of your child. Epidurals and pain relief are not always effective and it can take a long time for a busy maternity ward to provide them. A doula is skilled in comfort measures to help you cope regardless of how you give you birth. A doula's job is provide support, education and advocacy to make sure that you have the best birth experience.
What if I have a cesarean section?
If you have a cesarean section and do not have a partner (or your partner is unavailable), the doula will accompany you throughout the surgery, from the time you arrive at the hospital until your baby is in your arms or otherwise medically stable. If you have a partner or another support person you want in the room, your doula may not be allowed in surgery according to the hospital's policies. However, a doula will come to the hospital and stay with you and your support team from the time you are admitted until your baby has been returned to you. If your vaginal labor ends with cesarean birth, a doula will be with you until you and your baby are stable and you are out of the recovery room. If you are planning an elective cesarean and choose not to have a doula present at the birth, we are happy to provide postpartum services, where available.
