If you are not exactly sure what doulas do or whether or not you really need one, you have come to the right place. Here are answers to all of your questions about what services doulas provide, how their role is different, how much doulas cost, how to find a doula and what questions to ask during the interview process.
What is a Doula?
There are actually two types of doulas; birth doulas and postpartum doulas. Birth doulas help to answer questions during pregnancy and preparing for labor in addition to continuous support during childbirth. Birth doulas will offer massage, help with comfort measures and suggestions for labor progress as well as guidance to family and support people in ways they can help the laboring woman. So if you are looking for help during labor, a birth doula is the ticket!
On the other hand, postpartum doulas will provide assistance with breastfeeding, newborn care, household organization and family adjustments in the first weeks postpartum. If you lack that type of support after your baby arrives, then you will want to hire a postpartum doula.
Will a Birth Doula Replace My Husband or Partner?
It might seem unusual to hire another person to attend your baby's birth, however keep in mind that labors can be long, arduous and emotionally-draining for the entire team! Your husband or partner will need to take breaks. Not to mention it can hard for loved ones to watch the woman in labor and remain objective.
Remember that while your partner has little experience in knowing what to do, what things to try or how to handle challenges, your birth doula will! So rather than replacing the husband or partner, a birth doula simply complements their role and helps to lessen their burden of responsibility.
If I Have a Labor Nurse or Midwife, Why Would I Need a Doula?
Labor nurses are incredibly busy these days and nursing shortages are commonplace on many labor and delivery floors. It is not unusual to hear that a labor nurse has more than one patient. So having an extra set of hands and a brain to pick when questions arise can be a life-saver.
What few people know is that the training of a birth doula is quite different than that of a labor and delivery nurse. Nurses are primarily trained in clinical skills such as reading and interpreting medical data, checking the mother's vital signs and reporting concerns to the physician. A birth doula is primarily trained in comfort measures for labor, learning how to support the mother emotionally as well as listening and communication skills. Once parents see that the training and responsibilities are vastly different, they can recognize that one is not replacing the other.
How Much Does it Cost to Have a Doula?
Fees for doula services vary depending on the several factors including the doula's level of experience and the cost of living in the region. Believe it or not, you can sometimes find doulas who are still in training who may offer their services for free or may charge only a nominal fee in exchange for an evaluation. Doula programs such as Operation Special Delivery provide free doulas to women whose spouses have been deployed.
In general, doula services can range from a low of about $200 in rural areas to upwards of $1,000 or more in areas where the overall costs of living are also higher. Parents may be able to get insurance reimbursement for doula services or deduct the doula's fee from their flexible spending accounts.
Where Can I Find a Doula?
One of the best places to find a doula is by visiting DONA International and clicking on the "Find a Doula" option on the homepage. DONA is one of the oldest and most recognized names in the doula field since the inception in 1992.
Not only does DONA rank among the best for its training and certification, but all of the first-ever research on doulas over 30 years ago was done by DONA's original founders. While there are other doula organizations out there, none can top DONA International as seen by the yearly growth in membership and its popularity among prospective and experienced doulas alike.
What Questions Should I Ask a Doula?
When you have decided to hire a doula but you need help in choosing the right one, here are some basic questions you will want to ask:
- What is her level of experience? How many births has she attended? Has she been trained? Is she certified?
- What is her personal philosophy about birth?
- Is she familiar with your place of birth and care provider?
- What is her fee and what does it include?
- Does she have a back-up doula partner in the event of an emergency?
Another thing to observe during the interview is the doula's listening skills. Does she listen to your concerns and validate them? During the initial interview, do you feel a connection to her? Those are crucially important when choosing the right doula to attend your birth.
Moms and Research Agree Doulas Effective
If you decide to hire a doula, chances are very good that you will not regret your decision. A recent survey of new mothers even showed that among all medical providers and other support people, the doula ranked number one as the person who provided the best support! Even research has shown that doula support is measurably more effective than the support provided by partners or medical providers.
Sources:
- DONA International
- Operation Special Delivery
- Hodnett, E., "Continuous support for women during childbirth", Cochrane Database Sys Rev., 2011.
- Childbirth Connection, Listening to Mother's Survey, 2006
Brenda Lane - Brenda Lane is a published author, Lamaze certified childbirth educator, DONA certified birth doula and approved birth doula trainer.
