What is the evidence for doulas?

Approaches for Ob-gyns and Maternity Care Providers to Limit Intervention During Labor and Birth in Low-Risk Pregnancies; ACOG  read here

• Approaches to Limit Intervention During Labor and Birth; ACOG  read here

• The Evidence for Doulas; Evidence Based Birth  read here

• Impact of Doulas on Healthy Birth Outcomes; Journal for Perinatal Education  read

• Continuous support for women during childbirth; Cochrane read

• ACOG & SMFM statement: One of the most effective tools to reduce the cesarean rate: doulas! DONA  read

• Safe Prevention of the Primary Cesarean Delivery; ACOG  read

• Evidence Supports Celebrating the Doula! Happy International Doula Month!; Lamaze  read

  
  

When should I hire a birth or postpartum doula?

There is no right or wrong time to hire a doula for doula support. Really the best time to hire a doula is when you feel you will need the support.

With regards to hiring a birth doula for some women /birthing people this will be when they first find out they are pregnant as they want that familiar face to help them along this new uncharted territory. Others might prefer to wait until they are further along in their pregnancy. Others will sometimes hire doula as they are trying to conceive - especially when using assisted fertility.

Many clients will contact us after their first antenatal appointment as they feel they want a more personal touch than is always possible to offer in busy maternity settings. And most importantly they want that continuity of care that a doula can offer - that one familiar face that will be there throughout the antenatal journey and then with them once labour starts until baby arrives (which unfortunately is not often the case with any other supports as they make their way through the maternity system).

With regards to hiring a postpartum doula - most people will book in before baby arrives so they get a chance to connect with their doula beforehand. And many clients will use some of their hours before baby is born - as their doula can help them prepare a postpartum plan antenatally and suppors them to put measures in place that will help ease that transition postnatally.

However many client’s don’t realise the need for doula support until after baby arrives and so do not hire a postpartum doula until baby is a few weeks old.

I am having a hospital birth - do I need a doula?

A doula can be a huge support to you and your birth partner if you are having a hospital birth. As a non medical support person your doula is focused on providing you with physical and emotional support as you birth your baby. The hospital can be very busy and you may not know your care provider beforehand, but you will know your doula and have built up a relationship with her throughout your pregnancy. Your doula will be a familiar face and is there to enhance the relationship between yourself, your birth partner and your care provider. Furthermore as your doula is not employed by the hospital she is there to offer evidence based, impartial and up to date information if needed so that you can make fully informed choices throughout your pregnancy and the birth of your baby.

I am having a homebirth - do I need a doula?

A doula can be a huge support to you and your birth partner if you are having a home birth. As a non medical support person your doula is focused on providing you with physical and emotional support as you birth your baby. Having a doula with you as you birthyour baby at home gives your birth partner more support - it can allow them to take a break and rest if needed, knowing there is still someone there to support you the Mum. It also allows your partner to give you their full attention and frees them up to focus solely on you. There is an extra pair of hands to organise the birth pool or get food sorted, take photographs and keep in touch with the midwife.

Will my doula take over from the role of my birth partner?

Your doula will in no way take over the role of the birth partner. Your doula is there to support you and your partner and to enhance the experience you both have at the birth.