But What Does a Doula DO?

But what does a doula do? I know, I know. It’s the million dollar question and the answer is full of misconceptions, depending on who you ask (if you ask me it’s more like what doesn’t a doula do!).

By definition, a doula is a woman who holds a certain degree of knowledge about birth and the birth process. She utilizes her intuition, training and experience to guide, or coach, women through the birth process. Doulas have no formal medical training but that’s ok! Their role isn’t to provide medical advice or support (we’ll leave the clinical stuff to the doctors and midwives!). Rather, they are there in a physical and emotional capacity - during pregnancy, the birth and postpartum.

And physical and emotional support? It’s not just fluff. Doulas provide physical labour relief through massage and touch (hey, hey counter-pressure!) and emotional relief through reassurance and constant, continuous care. Many first time parents have the expectation that their doctor or midwife is at their disposal for the duration of their birth. And while it’s true, your doctor or midwife is around, they typically only check in with you periodically in order to to confirm progress (the exception to this being homebirth where a midwife is in the vicinity throughout the birth but might be occupied with other duties to prepare for baby’s arrival). A doula, on the other hand, is there for you the entire time. Your wellness and comfort is her only mandate.

Here are some of the *standard* ways a doula works for you in the birth process:

• Ensuring you, and your partner, are kept nourished through food and drink

• Making sure you are emptying your bladder with frequency (sounds silly but… it’s important)

• Using hot/cold therapy to keep you comfortable

• Suggesting new positions to try to ease the discomfort of your sensations/efficiently move your baby down, down, down (DOWN!)

• Reassuring you that what you are feeling is normal and that your body is doing exactly what should

• Coaching and reminding you to advocate for your body, your baby and your experience

• Using massage and counter pressure to alleviate intensity of sensations

• Keeping your birthing space a place of comfort and calm

• Adhering to your birth preferences

• Making sure your partner’s needs are met - giving him peace of mind that you are with someone who you feel safe with so that he can take breaks to eat, sleep, etc.

• Anything else required to make sure your birth experience is the best it can be

And if you’re thinking that a doula’s job starts and ends with birth, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Some of a doula’s most important contributions take place before the birther has entered the birth process. Ideally, a doula will support their client for the majority of their pregnancy; offering reliable and evidence-based information and providing comprehensive education on topics like physiologic birth, pain management and medically assisted birth options, unexpected outcomes, practical postpartum expectations for mother, father and infant. Laying this groundwork is important and it facilitates an environment where women enter the birth process from a place of confidence and self-assurance.

Before you cast doulas aside as a fad, consider this: the doula is a position steeped in tradition and history with the role during dating back to the Ancient Greeks. The best part? Present day evidence corroborates assertions that having a doula present greatly benefits birther and partner. Amazing statistics like shorter labours, less likely to require medical-assisted deliveries, less chance of cesarean, less likely to use pain medication or other interventions, and overall more positive birth feelings about the experience have not only legitimized, but exemplified, the traditional role of doula in modern day birth.