What exactly does a doula DO?

The first time I heard the term "doula" I was about 15 years old, and I had no comprehension of what a doula even was or why anyone would need one. I certainly never dreamed that I would one day become one!

The word doula comes from a Greek word that means "A Woman Who Serves". In its essence, the work of a doula is to serve and support a mother. In the prenatal time period, this looks like forming a trusting relationship with clients, so when the time comes for baby to arrive, your doula is already a familiar and comforting face. A doula offers education and birth preparation, helping to formulate a birth plan that clearly communicates the mother's desires and preferences to care providers, and offering information about what her options are for labor support and pain relief. This includes helping to prepare and educate her husband about the best ways he can be involved in supporting his wife through this incredible transition of bringing their baby into the world.

As labor approaches, a doula's support looks like being on call for questions, encouragement, and help in interpreting signs of labor, so her client can know when is the best time to either call in her midwife and other members of the birth team, or when to head to the birth center or hospital.

During labor, a doula is fully focused on supporting both the client and her husband. Sometimes that looks like helping the husband with ideas for physically or emotionally supporting his wife. Sometimes it is touch, massage, counter pressure, or verbal encouragement from the doula personally. It can include suggestions for position changes or pain relief techniques that may help labor progress more smoothly. It may involve encouraging her client to voice her questions or concerns, so she doesn't end up as a spectator in her own birth. Sometimes it's simply being present, available, and ready to serve. In all of this, the doula is constantly checking in with what her client truly wants and needs--she can offer suggestions, education, and support at whatever level the mother desires, no more and no less. A doula is not a medical professional, nor does she offer medical advice--she simply makes sure that all medical decisions are formed with the client's full understanding and consent. She asks for clarification and explanation from care providers if it appears that her client or the client's husband is confused or concerned.

So what does the evidence say about doula support? Does it really make a difference? Statistics show YES! In a study of 15,000 people across 17 countries, the data found that continuous labor support from a doula was associated with:

~A 39% decrease in the risk of Cesarean

~A 15% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth

~Shorter labors by 41 minutes on average

~38% decrease in the baby's risk for a low 5-minute Apgar score

(Find out more information on this study, and the benefits of doula care here.)

So what does a doula actually do? At the root of it all, she is a woman who serves.