What a Birth Doula Is and Why You Might Want One
Hi Mama!
I find that a lot of people don’t really know what a birth doula is and there are usually a lot of misconceptions about birth doulas. People often think birth doulas are just for home births or that birth doulas are only if you want a completely natural, unmedicated birth. So, I’m excited to explain more about what a birth doula is and what we do as birth doulas! Let’s dive in -
What is a Birth Doula?
Technically, a doula is anyone who stands by a birthing woman’s side and supports her physically and emotionally as she welcomes her baby. But professionally speaking, a birth doula is a trained professional who provides physical, emotional, and informational support to an expecting mama and her birth companion throughout pregnancy, labor, and the immediate postpartum period. Unlike a medical professional, a doula's role is non-clinical, focusing on comfort, advocacy, and guiding a mother and her family through the birthing process. Doulas are there to support the choices and needs of the expecting mama, ensuring a positive birth experience.
Why Hire A Doula?
Studies have shown that having a doula present during birth can lead to:
Shorter labors
Reduced rates of medical interventions such as cesarean sections, epidurals, episiotomies, etc.
Decreased use of pain medications
Increased satisfaction with the birth experience
Improved breastfeeding initiation and success
Lower rates of postpartum depression
Increased feelings of confidence and empowerment in new mothers
What Our Doulas Do for You
Every family’s needs are unique and our services are personalized to reflect that. When you hire Anointed Births, these are some things you’ll receive:
Prenatal Visits: Our doulas will meet with you for 1-3 prenatal sessions to discuss your birth preferences, fears or concerns, and develop a birth plan.
Education and Resources: We provide resources on topics like labor positions, breathing techniques, comfort measures, and evidence based information on important topics. We do our best to provide as much information on your birthing location, answer questions, and empower you to make informed decisions.
Emotional Support: Many parents experience a wave of emotions leading up to labor and we love offering a listening ear, our presence and understanding, encouragement, and reassurance during these conversations.
Continuous Emotional and Physical Support: We remain by your side throughout labor and birth, providing comfort measures, guidance on breathing techniques, reminders to eat and empty your bladder, support for birth companions, emotional encouragement, and education if intervention is recommended.
Evidence-Based Guidance and Advocacy: We believe in informed choices. Our doulas provide the information you need to understand your options, from positions and comfort measures to potential interventions. If your plan changes, we are there to help you navigate each decision with confidence.
Nonjudgmental Support for You and Your Partner: We don’t replace your partner; we work alongside them, offering extra hands and guidance to support you both. We can help your partner feel more confident in supporting you during birth by giving recommendations on what type of support to offer based on what we are seeing; this could be a recommendation on a position change, a specific comfort measure, eating/drinking, etc.
Postpartum Support: After birth, we assist you with initial bonding, breastfeeding, and ensuring that you and your baby are comfortable and settled. We will then visit you 1-3 times after you settle in at home for a postpartum visit to process your birth, check in with you and baby, provide recommendations to local providers if needed, etc.
Why Families Choose Birth Doula Support
Hiring a birth doula brings peace of mind and a sense of security. Studies show that doula support is linked to fewer interventions, reduced rates of cesarean sections, and more positive birth experiences overall. Many parents say the continuous, unbiased support of a doula helped them feel more grounded, capable, and empowered to make decisions they felt good about long after the birth was over. Here are some reasons why people have hired us for our birth doula services:
“I don’t feel support from my OB”
“I want an unmedicated, natural birth”
“I’m striving for a VBAC”
“My husband is in the military and might not be at the birth”
“I’m a single mom”
“I want a natural hospital birth experience”
“I need someone who can help support me with my birth plan while I’m in labor”
“I want guidance, education, and help with a birth plan”
“I want support physically and mentally before birth, including breathing techniques and hands on support during birth”
“This is my first baby”
“I am striving for a redemptive birth because my last birth didn’t go the way I wanted it to”
“I want to avoid unnecessary interventions”
Common Questions We Get Asked
1. How does a birth doula differ from a midwife or doctor?
A birth doula provides non-medical support. Unlike midwives or doctors, we do not perform clinical tasks (like fetal monitoring or cervical exams) but instead focus solely on supporting you emotionally and physically. We help you stay comfortable, informed, and empowered throughout labor, while your midwife or doctor oversees the medical aspects of the birth.
2. When should I hire a birth doula?
It’s best to hire a doula early in your pregnancy to allow time for prenatal visits, which help you build a trusting relationship. These early visits help you discuss birth goals, plan for labor, and review comfort techniques.
Also, the doulas on our team are in high demand and they can book up fast. It’s good to lock in your preferred doula before she books up.
3. Does a birth doula support hospital, home, and birth center births?
Yes, we support all birth settings, including hospitals, home births, and freestanding birth centers. We are there to ensure you have a positive experience, regardless of location, by providing emotional and physical comfort in all environments.
4. Can a birth doula support my partner as well?
Yes! We work closely with partners, providing guidance on ways to support you during labor and offering reassurance. We help partners feel confident, involved, and less stressed by teaching them how to participate in ways that feel meaningful and supportive.
5. How does a birth doula help with postpartum recovery?
We offer immediate postpartum support after birth, assisting with initial bonding, breastfeeding, and helping you feel settled and supported in those first hours. We can connect you with postpartum resources, provide reassurance, and ensure you transition comfortably into early postpartum.
5. What are your rates?
Our birth doula packages range from $1,200-$3,200. The rates depend on your location, availability, experience, and offerings. Sometimes, we may be able to offer a sliding scale and/or customizable packages. Please reach out on our contact form if you have questions about this.
6. What’s included in your birth doula package?
Our standard packages include: 2 prenatal visits, active labor support, and 1 postpartum visit but some doulas on our team may offer more prenatal and/or postpartum visits depending on who you choose and which package you select.
7. What can I expect in my prenatal visits?
We usually like to conduct our prenatal visits in the comfort of your own home. Our prenatal visits can range anywhere from 1-2 hours each. At each visit, we like to dive into your birth desires and preferences and help give you the tools and resources to achieve that. We will put together your birth plan to give to your provider ahead of time and bring to the birth, discuss how to select a care provider or how to change care, what to pack in your hospital bag, practice hands-on comfort measures, etc. This is a great question to ask in your consultation with the doulas you are matched with.
8. When would a doula on your team support me in labor?
When you’re in active labor. Typically, this is when your contractions are less than 5 minutes apart, for 1-2 hours, and lasting 60-90 seconds. However, depending on special circumstances, we may arrive at a different time. This is a great question to ask in your consultation with the doulas you are matched with.
9. What should I expect in my postpartum visit?
A postpartum visit that’s included in the birth doula package is in the comfort of your own home. The visit is usually scheduled anywhere from when you get home from your birthing location up to 2 weeks of birth. The visit can be anywhere from 1-3 hours, depending on which doula you hire. Every doula has her own special offerings for postpartum; depending on who you hire, she may bring you a home cooked meal, postpartum support herbal tinctures or herbal blends, a belly binding session, craniosacral therapy for baby, a postpartum massage, lactation support, light household help like folding laundry or doing some dishes, etc. It depends on who you hire from the team and what type of support you may be needing that day. This is a great question to ask in your consultation with the doulas you are matched with.
The Power of a Supported Birth
Imagine going into your labor feeling excited and confident to birth your baby. Imagine welcoming your baby into a positive, stress-free environment. Imagine your birth bringing you closer to your birth companion and your baby. Imagine your birth being a positive, life-changing experience that you can hold onto for the rest of your life. Our birth doulas would love to help you turn those imaginations into reality!
Ready to Begin Your Empowered Birth Journey?
If you want to learn more, fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation We’d be honored to walk with you through this intimate and sacred journey.
Anything stated in this blog is not medical advice.
Other Resources:
What is a doula and what are the benefits of having a doula?
“I’m an OBGYN, here’s why I had a doula help with my delivery.”
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