Frequently Asked Questions
Would your birth journey benefit from having a birth or postpartum doula? Absolutely! Learn more in our FAQ below.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve compiled a list of our most frequently asked questions (FAQ) to help you in your quest for a doula. Trying to find the right doula to support you in your journey to parenthood may remind you of trying to find the right dress or car. The process usually involves a lot of questions to see if it’s the right style, comfort, and fit.
At Birth You Desire, we tailor our support to the specific needs of your family. We are confident you will find the right fit with one of our concierge doulas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Why have a doula?
A doula is a birth professional trained in supporting families at a very special time. They provide physical, emotional, and informational support to the family from pregnancy, through birth, and into the postpartum period. Doulas do not replace your midwife or OB. Rather their job is to focus on your journey into parenthood, making it as comfortable and empowering as possible while keeping true to your wishes and goals.
Birth doulas focus on fertility through postpartum.
Postpartum doulas focus on the period of time after birth through the first few months.
What about the partner's role when using a doula?
Doulas support the whole family. By supporting the family, they reduce partner stress allowing them to become involved to the extent they feel comfortable and act with confidence. The partner’s role is one of loving support. The doula complements the partner in a way that has them be more supportive and comfortable at the same time. The doula can then provide the expertise and guidance while the partner’s primary role is comfort, support, and decision making.
The doula becomes the partner’s anchor, supporting them in the areas they are not familiar with such as the instinctive birth behaviors that a doula would know are normal processes in birth. At birth, the doula assists the partner with comfort techniques, understanding medical jargon, choices they have, and finding time for self-care. Postpartum, the doula supports the family and partner in mastering the skills they need to soothe, comfort, and raise their child.
What does a birth doula do?
Your healthcare provider and nurses are responsible for the birth outcome. Their primary job is monitoring labor, assessing the medical condition of the ParentBaby dyad, and treating complications if and when they arise. Childbirth is an emotional experience with a long-term impact on a woman’s personal well-being. A doula’s primary role is to help the family’s journey through birth. She is constantly aware that the parent and her partner will remember this experience throughout their lives so the doula supports the parents in having a positive and memorable birth experience. An experienced doula has a sophisticated mix of counseling skills. She can translate medical terms for the family, assist in provider communication, teach physical support strategies and explain pain coping techniques. She is an expert in positioning for fetal alignment, and solely focuses on the client’s individual needs and desires. As your doula is privately hired, she can be autonomous and support you as desired with out having to follow birth place guidelines for care.
Studies show all women should be able to have the support of a doula.
How does a doula affect birth outcomes and babies?
- Reduced labor times
- Reduced need for pain medication and augmentation of labor
- Improved outcomes for the Parent and Baby
- Increased satisfaction with their labor and birth experience (for both parent and partner)
- Increased likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth, preventing cesareans
In addition, long-term benefits of labor support include:
- Improved breastfeeding
- Improved health of baby leading to shorter stays and fewer NICU admissions
- Decreased postpartum depression
- Greater maternal satisfaction
- Better parent-infant interaction
I'm planning to have an epidural. Why should I have a doula?
Support is much more than just pain management. The doula’s role starts in pregnancy with information and she continues as your advocate throughout your labor and birth. They may help you and your family with any questions or concerns that may arise, help you understand what your care providers are saying, and attend to your comfort and needs. Pain medication does not eliminate the role of a doula. Especially when anesthesia does not arrive on time at the exact moment you are ready for it. Your doula will also remain with you throughout the birth helping you stay comfortable and using strategies and position changes to help your baby find their way out. Additionally, they support your immediate postpartum period to support you and ensure that your and your family’s needs are being met.
I need to have a cesarean. Why do I need a doula?
Cesarean birth is still a birth. Your birth doula is your support and advocate as your wait and is prepped for surgery and recover from surgery. Depending on hospital policies and your situation, they may be able to support you in the operating room. They will be at your side in the recovery room and can help you and your family with any questions or concerns that may arise, helping you understand what your care providers are saying, and attending to your comfort and needs. They can assist with bonding and breastfeeding and help to navigate recovery.
Postpartum doulas can help you to use the best strategies for your recovery, and support bonding and feeding as you recover.
What does a postpartum doula do?
A postpartum doula is more than helping with the cooking and the cleaning. It’s about advice and support on your terms when you need help. What can you expect?
- Infant care, feeding, and burping
- Infant education and care
- Recovery and healing from birth
- Meal preparation and planning
- Light housekeeping
- Traveling with you to Dr visits and shopping
- Guidance, companionship, and organization
- Sibling bonding and support
- Sleeping tips
- Pet support
- Nursery organization
Can a doula give medical advise or make decisions for me?
A doula does not make medical decisions for clients or intervene in their clinical care. They may provide information and emotional support, and help you to process or make decisions.
A doula can provide the information to help parents make appropriate decisions, to know when to reach out to a provider for help, and facilitate communication between the medical care providers.
Have the birth you desire. Find your doula today!
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