FAQ

When I consult with potential clients and expecting parents, I get a lot of the same questions over and over. Doulas are growing in popularity, but true understanding of what we do at birth remains a bit mysterious! Here are some details that may help demystify the process of hiring and working with a doula.

Q: How early in my pregnancy should I think about getting a doula?

A: As soon as you want! Most doulas will offer a short complimentary phone call or video chat session to see if you’re a good fit for each other. We know you are considering several options and trying to find your perfect match for your birth and postpartum journey. Keep in mind: the sooner you hire your doula, the sooner you can count on them for support, resources and referrals to other useful perinatal professionals. With that in mind, lots of folks hire their doula between 12 and 20 weeks.

Q: Why can't my partner be my doula?

A: While a partner can be an incredibly important part of a great birth, they may also be new and inexperienced, or have their own fears and anxieties to work through. Partners may also have a hard time watching the birthing person endure the normal pain of labor. Doulas come in handy with their intimate knowledge of the birth process and experience navigating twists and turns along the way. Doulas help the laboring person and birth partners to stay cool, calm, and collected during the experience, and can help your partner to be an even better support to you when the time comes.

Q: I'm nervous about my birth. Are you available to help with that beforehand?

A: Yes! Many doulas are available via phone or email to chat with you about common concerns while we wait for baby to arrive. You’ll also have a chance to explore your emotions around birth and parenting during your prenatal visits together. Doulas can help calm your nerves by pointing you towards evidence-based information and towards resources like therapists, yoga teachers, acupuncturists and other folks that will help make your pregnancy and birth as comfortable, fun, and exciting as possible.

Q: Can I have a doula even if I want to get an epidural as soon as I walk in the hospital door?

A: You do not have to give birth by a stream in the woods to have a doula. A doula’s role is not to persuade you to have some kind of crunchy, granola birth that you don’t actually want. Doulas are present to support you and advocate for your wishes in the fast-paced hospital environment, as well as at home births and birth centers. If an epidural is in the birth plan, then we will talk about when you want it and how to labor effectively with it so you can have the best epidural ever. And hey, if you want that stream-in-the-woods birth, you can get a doula for that, too!

Q: Do I really need a doula? I like and trust my doctor!

A: Doulas don’t exist to cause tension or fight with doctors in the hospital room. Doulas exist as a support that’s completely outside of the medical system. Nurses and doctors will do everything in their power to keep you and your baby alive and healthy. Doulas can help you to fill in the emotional, spiritual sides of birth as a rite of passage, allowing you to feel heard, emotionally supported, empowered and strong in your birth. Some good doctors and nurses can do this, too, but the demands of the U.S. medical system often don’t allow them the time or space for it.

Q: What is the difference between a doula and a midwife?

A: A doula is an emotional & physical support person, but a doula does not perform clinical tasks. A midwife is much like a doctor, performing clinical tasks related to birth such as monitoring fetal heart tones, examining your cervix for progress, and suturing tears of the perineum. If you use a midwife for your birth, you may still want a doula!

Q: How do I pick the right doula for me?

A: Like filling any other job…to an extent. Birth is a very vulnerable, wild and unpredictable ride. More than anything, you want to find someone you feel comfortable with and can communicate with. Find a doula you can trust. Do this with interviews. And ask your friends! There are resources online (directories, Facebook groups) or get recommendations straight from people like your prenatal yoga studio, childbirth education classes, or possibly even from your doctor or midwife.