What is a Doula?

A valid question with a delightful answer. At one point, this was a mystery to me as well. I didn’t even know what a doula was when I was birthing my own babies. What did a doula do? What constitutes the status of one identifying as a doula? How does a doula fit into the birth environment? I discovered that it is a calling paired with a deep interest in all things perinatal. It is a devotion to helping others while maintaining a personal grounding for strength and balance. It is an existential joy that I receive when I know I have quietly eased a positive experience for a new family.  Once I became acquainted with the important versatile role of a doula, I realized I wanted to become one.

At the onset of the pandemic, when all three of my kids were sent home “to” school, I immediately became antsy and wondered what more could I be doing rather than what less could I be doing. With my kids reaching independent ages and on the cusp of next stages in their lives, I saw this obstacle as an opportunity and a time for change. I have always been fascinated by the practical capabilities of the human body and the mystery of birth. Together, these forces create magic and a doula can help guide a woman through this process by identifying levels of labor, guiding the mom and baby with gentle positioning, and advocating for elements that are important during the birthing process. But then there is so much more.  My role is to educate, enlighten, and empower.

The initial criteria for training to become a doula can be a very quick process but to become a certified doula requires exposure in the field, application of learned skills, and experience. This will take more time. Every doula must get an overview of the scope of practice and how they fit into the birth team, a solid understanding of anatomy and physiology in order to help a woman navigate labor, and a practical overview on how to perform as an emotional guide and advocate. I learn a little more with each birth I support. Sometimes I learn from the nurse, the practitioner, the mom, the dad, or someone unexpected -like the valet parking my car in the emergency department at 3am! It doesn’t always pertain to birth directly, but all the supporting characters help support my role. 

There are different types of doulas. A birth doula supports and educates on prenatal, labor, and birth essentials. A postpartum doula supports in the period after the baby is born. With both roles there can be education on breastfeeding, newborn care, and care for mom. Birth is a big life event and challenges both the body and mind. Having a labor, birth, and postpartum period of your own design (or close to it) is an important way to hold autonomy during a special process that often includes many strangers. In my experience with supporting women, nutritional, physical, and emotional guidance are key components and if more is needed, I refer to additional resources. Understanding choices and outcomes pairs beautifully with decisions and outlook.

Another way a doula can help is by highlighting or streamlining data. There is an abundance of information readily available for people to ask questions and discover answers to. Now more than ever, we live in a world where researching, learning, and discovering are vital parts of our daily activities. Whether it’s comparing products in the marketplace or exploring a celebrity’s profile on a Wikipedia page, it has become second nature to quench our thirst for curiosity. The winding flowchart of themes queued by a specific topic can lead an individual into a spiral of tertiary topics and misleading answers. That said, a doula can offer a concise palette of information to use as a foundation, then help blend into more specific elements that can be relevant to her experience.

A doula can be affirming and encouraging to help the birthing person maintain a positive mindset. A doula can help interpret medical terms or processes that might not be familiar to decipher. A doula can sometimes just be a silent companion in order to preserve a moment for thought or take time needed for a process. A doula is someone who can accompany you during a most vulnerable time and bring you to the most powerful place. She is there to bring you through this special time, acting as a guide but allowing you to be in charge. From my own perspective, I want you to feel like an individual throughout your unique journey!