What is a birth doula?

A birth doula is a trained individual* who provides emotional, informational, physical, spiritual, mental, and other forms of support to birthing parents during pregnancy, birth, and immediate postpartum. Medicalization and the institutionalization of birth has largely contributed to the erasure of village models of care and the importance of non-medical support. Birthworkers seek to practice this kind of unique, compassionate care. Birth companions do not replace partners who are already supporting a birthing person— they can encourage partners to be more involved if they choose, help them to remember information, provide reassurance, walk through physiologic labor, and help explain interventions. Birth doulas can also offer vital care for people who may not have existing support systems.

You can have a doula whether you give birth at a hospital, at a birthing center, or at home. Birthworkers support a variety of birth preferences and decisions and do not force any opinion onto the birthing individual (i.e. you can have an epidural AND a doula).

*Doulas also choose to work in partnerships, groups, collectives, etc.

What is a full spectrum doula?

A full-spectrum doula is a trained community careworker who offers support to people during the full spectrum of pregnancy and with other transformational life events. For example, they can support with pregnancy loss, abortion, and gender-affirming care. Full spectrum doulas are committed to providing continuous support throughout your journey, whatever that may be.

In addition to the services described above, I am currently working to expand my full spectrum practice to include providing emotional support and practical information for those who struggle with menstruation-affiliated chronic pain (such as endometriosis and PCOS).

What are the benefits to hiring a doula?

Doulas positively reinforce and normalize symptoms, feelings, and challenges that may arise during transition periods. They offer unconditional support that is also thoroughly researched and evidence-based. Doulas have a wealth of resources and can help connect you to care providers that you really click with and refer you to acupuncturists, massage therapists, prenatal yoga instructors, and more. Research has shown that having a birth doula can increase your chances of having a vaginal birth, shorten the time spent laboring, decrease the need for medical interventions (such as use of vacuum or forceps), decrease the chances of a cesarean birth, and overall improve the birth experience. Institutional and individual racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, and xenophobia can have a direct impact on medical experiences, and having a trusted companion can help with advocating for your rights and needs during a transformative time.

What is a postpartum doula?

A postpartum doula comes to your home to assist with emotional and physical postpartum healing and to nurture the transforming family. A postpartum doula offers non-judgemental support and evidence based practices to help navigate what works best for your family and your individual needs. There is no insistence to care for your baby in any particular way. In my practice, I will provide information and support on infant feeding, infant soothing, and coping skills for new parents. I can also help by fixing a meal, doing light housework, and helping incorporate an older sibling into this new experience.