What are the benefits of hiring a doula?
What is a Doula?
You may have heard the buzz about doulas. But are you still wondering what a doula actually is?
Imagine that you’re pregnant, perhaps it’s news you have been longing for. You go to your first midwife’s appointment full of questions and enthusiasm, excited and nervous to meet the person who will be caring for you and supporting you on this momentous journey. You meet a friendly, professional midwife but don’t have time to ask all of your questions. They do the medical checks required but mispronounce your name. They say that you’ll see a different midwife next time as they are moving on, so there seems no point trying to get to know them anyway. You leave feeling a little dejected and unsure where to turn if you need support. You tell yourself to get on with it, as long as the baby is OK, that’s all that matters. You’re pretty scared about birth with all the horror stories you’ve heard but you’ll just have to get through it.
Yet, it has not always been that way. Not long ago, becoming a parent was a very different experience. For thousands of years, birth took place in community, with support from people that you knew and probably had a strong connection with. You’d have been around birth and infant feeding growing up. You’d have had the chance to ask questions, observe and learn from your elders and peers. If you became pregnant, you’d feel supported, connected and cared for. You would know that your community had your back. If the unthinkable should happen, they would be there for you. On difficult days, you could call on them to uplift you. This support system was strong and held you at the centre.
In recent decades, something has been lost. Lifesaving medical advances have been made but at what cost? The old ways have been forgotten. A one size fits all approach is often applied. We have a view that pregnancy should be business as usual, that birth is an event your body is incapable of, that you must ‘bounce back’ as soon as possible after birth. Medical interventions are at an all time high, whilst chest / breastfeeding rates are at astonishing lows. Mental health concerns among new parents are rife.
Our bodies haven’t forgotten how to grow, birth and nourish babies – so what’s happened?
Parents shouldn’t be on this journey alone. We need to find our community. It’s time to connect back to the holistic, person-centred care which grew our species and kept our ancestors safe.
That’s where doulas come in. Part antenatal educator, part friend, part advocate, part activist. We are your modern-day support system. Doulas do not replace medical care. They play a complementary role, slotting in and supporting you.
There is perhaps a stereotypical picture that doulas are all hippies or advocates of only ‘natural’ birth. When in truth we’re a diverse bunch, each as unique as the families that we nurture. Often sitting quietly, holding space and just being there. Every doula brings a different personality and set of skills. Some doulas may also be aromatherapists, yoga teachers, infant feeding practitioners, baby massage therapists or great cooks. Perhaps they’re simply an all-round awesome person who you gel with and know instinctively that you want on your team.
Doulas can support you at different stages, including births, deaths, postnatally, through your whole fertility journey, with adoption and surrogacy. Often it’s a combination of these.
Certain life or professional experience is not a prerequisite of the doula role. Your doula can be any age and from any walk of life. Some doulas have their own children, others do not. The doula role does not require formal training, although it’s an option that many doulas choose to pursue.
When you work with a doula, you are signing up for unconditional and judgement free support. They will build a relationship with you (and your family) rooted in mutual respect and understanding. Your doula will coach you through your journey, boosting your self-belief and working on your advocacy skills; advocating on your behalf if you need them to. Educating and guiding but never telling you what to do. Sharing the latest evidence then leaving the decision making to you.
Your doula is your safe space. A sounding board, a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on. They take care of the practicalities, making sure you’re nourished and your needs are being met, freeing space for you to focus on whatever is important in that moment. Doulas are there for your partner and wider support team, careful never to step on their toes. They fill in the gaps and pick up the pieces.
Your doula is your personal cheerleader and your port in the storm. A calming influence who you can always rely on, honoured to be part of your team.
Benefits of a doula
Doulas are here to support you and the benefits of working with a doula are life-changing. A 2017 Cochrane Review, which compiled studies involving over 15,000 participants, found that those supported by a doula during birth were:
More likely to have a spontaneous vaginal birth
Less likely to have a caesarean section
Likely to have a shorter labour
Potentially at lower risk of postpartum depression
More likely to report a positive birth experience
And their babies were likely to show better signs of health during newborn Apgar score checks*
The evidence speaks for itself - doulas really are helpful and effective.
An important note here – a lot of the above evidence shows how doulas can support physiological birth. It’s important to mention that doulas have a positive impact on all births and all routes into parenting. Whatever your journey – we’ve got you.
As well as the benefits from the above studies, there are other ways in which doulas impact their clients that are more challenging to record and evaluate. The benefits of working with a doula begin with solid foundations of continuous, judgment-free care from your doula and the relationship which you build together as a result. Doulas help you to build your confidence in yourself, your body, and your baby. Allowing you to trust in the process of birth and make decisions from a place of confidence rather than one of fear. If you’re feeling confident, you can relax and do your thing – this is vital during birth as the fear can literally stop your birth in its tracks. Having a doula also gives you the added confidence boost and security of knowing that someone is there for you (and your partner), ready to step in should you need them.
In our increasingly medicalised model of perinatal care, doulas give the power back to you. Your doula will ensure that you feel in control, listened to, and cared for. Your doula makes sure that you are at the centre of your experience, just where you belong!
Your doula will help you to learn your rights and hone your advocacy skills. Learning to stand up for yourself in this way will have lifelong benefits. They will calmly and confidently advocate on your behalf when you’re not able to do so, e.g.: ‘My client requested delayed cord clamping.’ Having this advocacy support can be very reassuring and sometimes vital.
Doula care focuses on nourishing and nurturing you as a whole. Working with your doula, you will have time and space to explore what holistic care means for you and learn strategies to take forward with you. The benefits of doulas span far beyond individual birth spaces. Doulas are activists, channeling our passion and our belief in birth to improve perinatal care for all. Working with a doula puts you at the centre of your experience. They give you unconditional support, belief, and encouragement which leads to a more optimal environment for birth to take place. The result of this is better birth outcomes, greater satisfaction, and long-term overall health gains for you and your baby.
The way a doula could benefit you personally? Well, that’s unique to you. Once you find the right doula and start to build your relationship together – the possibilities are vast. If you’re pregnant or hoping to be soon, when trying to decide where to invest your time, effort, and money, I urge you to cut through the noise and tune into what’s important to you. Really important long term, not just nice in this moment. Sure, if you want to get the nursery decorated, then go for it (I know that personalised wall hanging is calling your name). And if you feel in your gut that investing in the support of a doula would benefit you, then contact a couple of doulas and get the ball rolling. I promise you won’t regret it.
Written by Bel Woffenden, Doula and Mindful Breastfeeding Practitioner.
