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Southeastern Pennsylvania
What is a Doula?
And how can one help you?
Currently in the United States, about 6% of all parents use a doula during birth. This number has almost doubled from 2010, and is expected to keep growing at an even faster rate. So, what do doulas have to offer and why are more and more families choosing to use one during their birth or postpartum experience?
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Doulas can be divided into two main groups: Birth and Postpartum. Some, like me, offer both services! All doulas are considered non-medical support professionals (not to be confused with a midwife, who is a medical professional that handles your medical care and delivering the baby).
Postpartum doulas can help with transitioning into parenthood by caring for you and/or your baby in your home in those early months.
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A birth doula is there as an educator, a mentor, and a comfort person for your pregnancy and delivery experience. Some doulas (like me!) believe advocacy is part of our role as well. We offer prenatal education and resources. In today's world of information overload, having someone to focus on your individual questions and worries can be invaluable to protecting your time and energy. Birth Doulas often help partners prepare for their role supporting a laboring person as well, to ease anxiety and uncertainty.
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During the birth, doulas should provide individualized comfort measures to reduce anxiety and pain, help families navigate the medical system during hospital births, and offer support in order to make your birth experience positive and without fear.
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The evidence on having a birth doula shows:
39% decrease in the risk of Cesarean;
15% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth
10% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief
Shorter labors by 41 minutes on average
31% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience
Want to learn more? Contact me to book a free consultation.
What does a Postpartum Doula do?
A Postpartum Doula offers support in the transition into parenthood and postpartum healing. Many postpartum doulas specialize in different aspects of this time, so it's important to ask during the interview what they have to offer.
Most doulas offer help with things like:
watching the baby so you can get some sleep, shower, or catch up on household tasks
helping with light housework so you have time to bond with your baby
Cooking simple meals, preparing bottles, and checking in on nutrition during the healing stage
Soothing baby and helping parents gain confidence reading infant cues
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Some doulas also provide help with things like breastfeeding support, postpartum fitness, sleep coaching, and overnight baby care.
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Postpartum doulas can help reduce the chance of developing postpartum depression and anxiety, or provide support navigating through any emotional challenges that come with birth and being a new parent.