Doulas help people feel:
CONFIDENT.
Doulas help you prepare. There is no right way to feel, or right way to do things, but paying attention to what you feel and thinking about how you want to do things can help make the experience of birth a positive one. Birth is unpredictable and there are no guarantees about outcomes, but with a doula you will have an advocate in the birth room and the chance to process things afterwards. Doulas can help you find resources and navigate maternity services. Doulas also help your loved ones support you, whether this is a partner, children, or other family and friends you want to be present.
RELAXED.
Feeling relaxed and safe is key to birth happening smoothly. While the intensity means it’s never as “relaxing” as a massage or walk in the park, you can make your way through the experience with emotional openness and minimal physical tension, knowing you have a dedicated person on your side. Plus, this often involves massages and walks in the park, too!
Doulas mediate between all the people in the room so you don’t have to worry about anyone else’s needs, priorities, or feelings. First and foremost, we pay attention to you, especially when others are distracted. Particularly for people who have trauma, a doula can help by speaking up on your behalf, recognizing what’s happening for you, and holding space for your story and feelings.
CARED FOR.
Giving birth or undergoing other experiences related to pregnancy can be intense, and sometimes isolating. Even loving family and friends might not have much understanding of reproductive issues, might have lots of opinions you aren’t interested in, or might have their own feelings and reactions. With a doula you have someone by your side who offers targeted, non-judgmental, and unbiased care.
FAQs
MY PARTNER WILL BE THERE, WHY WOULD I NEED A DOULA TOO?
I actually think one of the most useful things doulas do is help your loved ones help you! Partners often want to be involved, but don’t know what to do. It can be bewildering for them to see you in discomfort and pain. A doula can read the situation, understand what you want and what’s working for you while you’re in labour, and many times all it takes is a well-placed suggestion to get everyone working together. Partners benefit from antenatal and postnatal counseling too.
DOES IT MATTER WHERE I GIVE BIRTH?
I support births at hospitals, birth centers, and homes. Where you give birth is up to you and your medical team. We can discuss what different possibilities look like and what your priorities, desires, and concerns are. I am comfortable in all these spaces and tend to work well with both midwives and obstetricians - all my family are medical professionals and I am employed in a medical school, so I’m familiar with the language and customs. I also understand why medical spaces can be triggering and harmful, and I have an appreciation for the world of natural birth and birth spirituality. As your doula, my loyalty is to you.
WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?
Check out the Scottish Doula Network site. The Doulas of North America site also has lots of information. These both focus on birth and postpartum / postnatal. For more about full spectrum care, which supports the full range of pregnancy outcomes, check out The Offbeat Doula’s explanation.