What is a doula—and what do they do?

Put simply, a birth doula can serve as a vital support system throughout your pregnancy journey by offering personalized, empathetic care.

They may seem like an invention of the alternative scene that erupted in the 1970s but the concept of caring for a mother-to-be before, during, and after childbirth dates back to ancient Greece. Indeed, the very word “doula” stems from the Greek word for “servant.” Additionally, the act of a small community of women coming together to tend to a woman in labor (and post-delivery) has gone on for centuries.

The term “doula” itself is thought to have been coined by Dana Raphael to describe, in essence, a “mother’s assistant.” While “mother’s assistant” certainly seems more apt than “servant,” according to the Doulas of North America (DONA), doulas are meticulously trained and experienced professionals who provide pregnant people with physical, informational, and emotional support during:

• Pregnancy
• Childbirth
• The postpartum period

And before you brush off the idea with a “my spouse/mother/best friend can do that,” let’s peer a bit deeper into a doula’s credentials—and, importantly, the nourishment they might offer you throughout your voyage from conception to “meet my little cutie.”

The Distinct Roles of a Doula

You might be pregnant with your first child. Or perhaps you count yourself as the lucky parent of two. Maybe you’re just now flirting with the idea of becoming pregnant and are trying to take in as much intel as you can before getting off birth control.

Whatever your case may be, you likely intuit that pregnancy, labor, and postpartum can be rife with anxiety, physical aches, and, well, questions.

This is where doula care may function as an invaluable resource. Rather than depending on your physician (who may have a seemingly endless number of other patients) for information or relying on your partner to calm your angst during labor, a doula can step in as a companion, coach, and fountain of reason and support.

But what does a doula do, exactly? Specifically, they may:

• Supply you with key information and childbirth education

• Help you put together a birth plan that details the type of pain medication you’d prefer (if any), who you would like present, and even what position you’d like to be in during labor

• Remain by your side as birth support throughout childbirth to walk you through practices that may steady your fears and relieve your discomfort, such as walking, massage, showering, and using aromatherapy

• Convey your wishes to your medical team during labor and serve as your overall advocate

• Offer continuous support and postpartum care, such as feeding your baby, fixing you a meal, conducting light household chores, or, if applicable, helping you introduce your infant to your other children

• Give you breastfeeding education and support

• Provide you and your family and loved ones with emotional and mental health support in the case of a miscarriage, pregnancy complications, stillbirth, or loss

What’s the difference between a doula and a midwife? 

Because “doula” and “midwife” are often used interchangeably, you may be wondering where their differences lie. Here’s how they compare:

• Doulas – Doulas may possess a wealth of knowledge about pregnancy and childbirth, but they are not medically trained. As such, they do not perform medical care.Instead, they supply informed support to enhance your birthing experience. This might look like motivating you to stay positive through the most arduous contractions, offering suggestions on positions and pushing methods, and simply holding your hand when it comes time to push as hard as you can to deliver your baby.
• Midwife – What is a midwife? A midwife, may have undergone some medical training, such as in obstetric care or gynecology. (This depends on the state in which you live and its laws, as well as the midwife’s certifications.) Their chief responsibility is to help you and your baby remain healthy—during labor, yes, but also throughout postpartum recovery.

It’s important to keep in mind that working with a midwife doesn’t preclude you from working with a doula as well. But, unlike nurse midwives, a doula cannot deliver babies. What they can do is keep you calm, focused, and level-headed through moral support and relaxation techniques.

What does science say about doulas? 

For some parents, working with a doula isn’t just appealing—it’s non-negotiable, as they want to do all they can to help ensure their childbirth goes as smoothly as possible. However, others may be a bit skeptical.

Yet, doulas haven’t just become increasingly accepted by the medical community—they’ve also been passionately welcomed and recommended. This may be in part to a growing body of research that indicates that doula support may lead to:

• Better birth outcomes, particularly in terms of shorter labor times, as well as fewer premature deliveries and C-sections

• Boosted breastfeeding

• Reduced use of medications during childbirth

• Enriched satisfaction with the birthing experience

Choosing the Right Doula for Your Birth

Intrigued by working with a knowledgeable companion who can steer you through the highs and lows of bringing a new human into the world?

You’re not alone: Doula support is popping up everywhere from community-based doula services to maternity wards. In fact, as of 2023, 15 states are presently (or will be) offering Medicaid reimbursement for doula services (if ever there’s a measure of its growing acceptance).

But bringing a virtual stranger along for one of the most vulnerable and significant eras of your life is no small decision. To help ensure you select a doula who offers the type of nurturing, knowledge, and expertise you crave, consider:

• Deciding on the type of doula you’d like – Doulas (and their services) are typically broken down into four categories: birth doulas, who may prep you emotionally and mentally for motherhood and provide support pre-labor and during; antepartum doulas, who offer support to people with high-risk pregnancies and those who may be on bed rest; postpartum doulas, who supply support, both logistical and emotional, after birth; and full-spectrum doulas, who work with a range of pregnancies and situations, including abortions and miscarriages. As you can see, there are many options when it comes to doulas. So, determine which compassionate superhuman suits your needs best before embarking on your search.
• Evaluating their credentials – Not all OBGYNs are created equal—and neither are all doulas. Prior to partnering with one, inquire about their doula training, certifications, and the number of births they’ve attended (or pregnant people they’ve worked with). You might also want to discuss their birthing philosophies to guarantee theirs match yours. And your best bet? Asking for recommendations from your OBGYN and friends.

Above all, conduct interviews. Childbirth can be wildly unpredictable and wildly messy, while pregnancy itself is a roller coaster of physical changes and emotions. Between appointments and figuring out what to pack in your hospital bag, pregnancy feels like a long road. Finding a doula who gets all of you, from your wicked sense of humor to your wholly natural fears about pregnancy, is the golden ticket to a bond that will behoove all three (or four or five) of you.

Enhance Your Pregnancy Journey with SneakPeek

Pregnancy and childbirth—and the days, weeks, and months following your child’s arrival—are intensely personal experiences. The decision to hire a doula is an equally intimate, personal choice. Meaning: tune in to your heart and what you know you need, and let your intuition guide your decision for maternity care. Additionally, do so knowing that doulas can be a steady source of nourishment and stability during an exciting, emotional, and (sometimes) unpredictable time in your life.

Fortunately, there’s one aspect of your pregnancy that isn’t unpredictable: your little bundle’s gender. At least, not when you partner with SneakPeek®. The SneakPeek Early Gender DNA Test® provides parents-in-waiting with the big news on their baby’s sex with over 99% clinically proven accuracy. Plus, the process is simple. Simply collect a small blood sample in the comfort of your own home, mail it to the SneakPeek lab, and receive your answer typically on the same day we receive your sample.

So, to doula or not to doula? That we can’t answer for you. But to peek or not to peek? We say sneak right on in.