All About the Doula: Providing Support from Conception to Postpartum

Have you ever wished you had more emotional support during labor or even postpartum? A doula can help. Pregnancy is different for every woman, but all women crave one thing, emotional support. Whether it is your first pregnancy or not, if you have a partner or not, or even if you're military mother, a doula will be able to help you. Maybe you're asking yourself why choose a doula, what will she provide, will my partner be involved, what kinds of doula's are there, what schooling do they go through, what's the cost, do they deliver my baby? A doula's job is simply put as "mothering/caring for the mother". No matter if the mother chooses a postpartum doula or a birthing doula both provide that support.

Throughout history it has been shown in artwork two women often accompanying a mother during childbirth, one believed to be a midwife and the other a doula. A midwife is there to assist in the passage of the baby safely (dona.org). Whereas, a doula is there for the "emotional" support of the mother. The doula is often shown comforting the mother, often by having her arms around the laboring woman (dona.org). A doula may or may not have previously given birth, but all doula's are required to go to classes and must be certified to practice. A birthing doula offers many things to a mother. For instance one of the most important things a doula does is provide emotional support to the mother during labor and delivery.

In order to make the mother feel more comfortable a doula often meets with the mom a few months before the due date to create a friendship (dona.org). During these few months that relationship is being established it gives the mother time to ask questions, express any fears, speak of concerns, and help the doula develop the most appropriate birthing plan. The doula may also provide the mother with a number where she can be contacted if the mother has an immediate concerns or questions (americanpregnancy.org). This friendship often allows the mother to feel a bit closer to the doula allowing her to provide the best support possible.