Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I choose a doula?
Birth doulas are trained to care for you on a one - on - one basis. Doulas offer informational, emotional, and physical support.
Do I need a doctor/midwife if I have a doula?
Yes. A trained doula is not a medical professional, therefore, they shouldn't be completing clinical tasks that a doctor or midwife would (ie. blood work, vaginal exams, checking blood pressure, etc.)
My partner is coming as a support person, why should I also include a doula?
A doula is an extra set of hands! Your partner is likely just as excited (and possibly as nervous!) as you. By having a doula, you both can be supported while emotions are heightened. A doula can remind you of topics you planned for during your pregnancy and ensure that those things are still tangible as you proceed with your labour. A doula can also "sub" in if your partner needs a bathroom break or needs to step out for any reason. A doula often works with the partner to offer optimal support for the labouring parent.
How does a doula offer physical support?
Doulas learn lots of helpful techniques to help ease pressure from labour and keep you calm and collected. She may help you by fetching food/water (if your birthing location allows), offering massage, assisting in position changes, setting the ambiance in the room which is often done by dimming the lights or hanging affirmations, preparing a bath or birthing tub for hydro therapy, or simply just being a physical support during a contraction!
How Does a doula offer emotional support?
Sometimes just being present for the birthing person can be helpful. A doula is there to listen and understand where the birthing mother is coming from and offer reassurance. For doulas, the main goal is to help the parents get the absolute most our of their birth, so to say they care is an understatement. We are there to allow you to unload what is on your mind, express your feelings and feel heard while doing so.
How does a doula offer informational support?
There is a lot of information thrown at you from the time you become pregnant all the way into postpartum. Doulas are educated on different types of medical interventions that pertain to birth, complications, medications, labour positions, herbal remedies, scientific studies, etc. We can equip you with information that is up to date and based on evidence so that you may have answers that you feel confident in, especially during labour when things can sometimes move quickly.
What makes a doula worth the investment?
There are a lot of interesting statistics that prove doulas to beneficial when it comes to labour:
- 39% decrease in the risk of having a Cesarean
- 15% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth (no induction)
- 10% decrease in the use of medication for pain relief
- shorter labours by an average of 41 minutes
- 38% decrease in the baby's risk of a low five minute Apgar score
- 31% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience
Where can I find more information on doulas and how they increase efficiency during labour?
The website that I like best and that I referenced in the above listed statistics is Evidence Based Birth and the link is as follows:
https://evidencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-for-doulas/
