Benefits of hiring a doula.

12/21/2016

People often ask:
"What can a doula do for me that my husband, mother, or best friend isn't already going to do?"

There are many benefits that I will touch on in this blog, but first ask yourself:

Does my husband have prior experience with childbirth?
Is my mother educated on the current birthing options I have?
Is my best friend going to offer unbiased support?

A doula is a professional that has put their time, energy, and money towards making it a career that they are passionate about. To learn more about "What a doula is?" see my past blog.

Doulas will help prepare you for labor, childbirth, and newborn cares by answering questions and getting you evidence based resources to help you make informed decisions. The support that is offered will be tailored to your needs and your doula will provide unbiased, continuous support from the date of hire until your early postpartum weeks.

For you...

Hiring a doula can help you feel more prepared for the labor and birth of you baby.

Get answers to your questions and evidence based facts that back them.
Validate any worries or concerns you may have.
Learn about your birth options and make a list of questions to ask your medical care provider.
Construct a birth plan that fits your needs and wants.
Feel sucure, knowledgable, and confident in your body and your decisions.
Increase your chance in having a positive birth experience.**
Decrese the use of interventions.**
Recieve continuous support throughout pregnancy, labor, and postpartum.

**See infographic below.

Dad, Grandma, and Best Friend...

You too are a part of the birth team and can benefit from a doula! The above bullet points can be beneficial to you as well, but look here:

Step out to use the restroom to freshen up.
Grab a quick bite to eat.
Catch a few zzZzz....
Learn comfort techniques to comfort your special person.

A doula is a member of the birth team, just like you. We all want the person laboring to feel comfortable, secure, and well cared for. Together we can ensure continuous support is provided.

The infographic below shares a few researched facts about doula attended births.

Research has shown the positive affects to having a doula attended birth. Although the following benefits are not guarenteed they are there to show that it is possible to have a positive birth experience with the evidence-based knowledge and genuine support.
Resource: The Birth Doulas Role in Maternity Care

A doula may help the significant other/birth partner by allowing them to grab a bite to eat, catch a quick nap, or use the restroom without feeling of neglect towards the laboring person.

Doulas are there to help facilitate and become apart of your birth team!

Do you still have questions or concerns about the role or benefits to hiring a doula?
Visit our FAQ page or contact Doula Mae.

4 Comments

Author

Samantha Martin is a young professional from Big Lake, MN. A birth and postpartum doula, Lactation Counselor, and Placenta Specialist serving growing families throughout Minnesota. She is always looking to further educate herself and others on bettering themselves and making informed decisions regarding their wellbeing. Samantha is a new blogger chasing her dreams!
Learn more about her and her business by following her on Facebook, Instagram and here on her blog at www.doulamae.com!

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Elsa Anderson link

3/26/2018 12:29:46 pm

I recently found out that my husband and I are pregnant and I am so excited but also just as nervous! I am glad that I found this site, because I had no idea that there are so many benefits to hiring a doula. I like that you say a doula can help you to learn about your different birth options and help you make a plan that fits your needs and wants. Also, I like that they provide support during postpartum and not just during pregnancy. I am going to tell my husband about these benefits and look around for a doula near me!

Gerty Gift link

7/16/2018 02:43:03 pm

It's interesting that a doula can reduce labor by an average of two hours. My friend is thinking about hiring a doula, but I had never really thought about how it would work out for her. I think that if she can really reduce her labor by two hours, it would be worth it.

4/30/2019 10:16:44 am

My husband and I have been talking about using a doula for our next child. I really liked how you said that it can reduce the request for pain medication. I had a pretty difficult labor the last time around so it would be interesting to see how this one goes if we end up finding a doula that we like.

Millie Hue link

5/16/2019 06:17:18 pm

I like that you pointed out that a doula can make a person feel comfortable during the labor. I guess I will hire one now that my husband and I found out that we are expecting. It has been two weeks since I was delayed, so I checked with a pregnancy test and found that I was positive. This is my first time which is why I am really nervous about the labor process.