What Is a Doula and Why You Might Want One by Your Side
Welcoming a baby into the world is a transformative experience—beautiful, powerful, and often overwhelming. Whether you're preparing for your first birth or adding another little one to your family, having the right support can make all the difference. That’s where doulas come in.
But what exactly is a doula—and how can we support you?
What Is a Doula?
A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a person before, during, and after childbirth. Unlike medical staff, doulas don’t perform clinical tasks. Instead, we serve as advocates, guides, and nurturing companions throughout the perinatal journey.
There are different types of doulas, including:
Birth Doulas – Support families through pregnancy, labor, and delivery.
Postpartum Doulas – Help ease the transition into parenthood by assisting in the days or weeks after birth.
Antepartum Doulas – Support families experiencing high-risk pregnancies or extended bed rest.
Bereavement Doulas – Offer compassionate support through pregnancy loss or infant loss.
What Does a Doula Do?
Here’s a glimpse into what you can expect from doula support:
During Pregnancy:
Help you understand your options and create a birth plan.
Offer evidence-based information and emotional reassurance.
Provide referrals to trusted resources like lactation consultants or childbirth educators.
During Labor:
Provide continuous physical comfort (breathing techniques, massage, position changes).
Offer emotional encouragement and grounding presence.
Help communicate your preferences to the medical team.
Support your partner, so they can confidently support you.
After Birth:
Support with newborn care and feeding (breast/chest/bottle feeding guidance).
Provide emotional support as you recover and adjust.
Light household help, sibling support, and help with rest and healing.
Why Hire a Doula?
Studies show that having a doula can lead to:
Shorter labors
Reduced risk of cesarean births
Lower use of pain medication
Increased satisfaction with the birth experience
Lower rates of postpartum depression
Most importantly, doulas support you—your body, your choices, your journey.
A Personalized Experience
Every family is different, and so is every doula-client relationship. At Rooted in Birth, we believe in meeting you where you are. Whether you're planning a home birth or hospital birth, need a gentle voice of encouragement or hands-on help with newborn care, we're here to serve your unique needs with compassion, knowledge, and respect.
Ready to Learn More?
If you're curious about what doula support could look like for you, we'd love to connect. Reach out today for a free consultation and discover how having a doula by your side can create a more empowered and peaceful experience.
