What Is A Doula?
Sara Cousineau is a Doula-in-training on Maui who is halfway through her 13 month mentorship with Doula Thrive. Doula Thrive is a Doula training program that combines education, connection and 1:1 mentorship as students start working with women and families. The program initiates students ready to actualize their passion by supporting them to apply the knowledge they gain & the wisdom they carry with 13 months of inspiration and support. Find out more at https://www.doulathrive.com/.
"Doula" is an ancient Greek term, meaning "a woman who serves." These days, a doula (according to DONA (Doulas of North America) International) is “a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a mother before, during, and shortly after childbirth to help her achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.”
Doulas can specialize in birth or postpartum care or offer continuous support throughout the pregnancy journey. Some studies have shown that having a doula can help reduce time spent in labor and decrease the use of pain medication during this time, lower the rate of medical interventions, and improve mother-baby bonding post-birth.
Birth Doulas generally have several prenatal visits to help develop a trusting relationship and provides assistance during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. A birth doula will offer resources to help women identify their birth preferences and make informed decisions about their births. They are trained in providing physical support and comfort during labor and are a great source of emotional support for the mother, partner, and entire family.
Postpartum Doulas are trained to support families through the transition of welcoming a new baby into this world. They are experts in emotional support and helping the entire family adjust to the transition. These doulas can offer soothing techniques, breastfeeding/bottle feeding support and provide insight on healthy newborn behavior. They also provide an extra set of hands to help with household chores or preparing nourishing and healing meals.
What should you look for in a doula?
The most important factor in choosing the right doula for you and your family is trusting your intuition. Talk to several doulas (many offer free consultations) and choose the one you feel most comfortable with that will work well with the rest of your birth team. Here are some good questions to ask in the interview process:
All Doulas
Why did you become a doula?
What certifications do you hold? Do you have any special training?
What does choosing to work with you look like? How many sessions will we have?
What is your fee and refund policy? What does it cover?
Birth doulas
What is your philosophy on childbirth? (Make sure your birth preferences are compatible with the doula's practices and beliefs)
How long have you been a doula and how many births have you attended?
What types of births have you attended -- home, hospital, birth center?
Are you always on call? How do I get in touch with you when labor begins? When and where will you join me?
If you are unavailable when I go into labor, do you have a back-up doula?
What techniques will you use to help me move through labor?
How long will you stay with me after labor?
What happens if I need a C-section?
Do you provide postpartum services? Do you have experience helping nursing mothers?
Postpartum Doulas
What services do you provide?
Are there any tasks that you are not willing/able to help with?
Do you have experience/training in breastfeeding?
Do you have a minimum shift length or number of hours that you provide for a contract?
Do you have a back-up doula?
If you’re looking for a doula, Doula Match is a great place to start! Check out https://doulamatch.net/ to find doulas in your area.
