Considering working with a doula? Here are the most commonly asked questions about doula support and my take on them.

What is a doula?

A doula is a support person who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a person before, during, and after childbirth. Unlike a doctor or midwife, a doula does not provide any medical care or deliver the baby. Instead, their role is to help you feel empowered, informed, and supported throughout your entire birthing journey, and to ensure your preferences are respected.

What are the benefits of having a doula?

Doula support has a strong basis in evidence. Research has shown that people who use a birth doula are:

• Less likely to have a C-section.

• More likely to have a vaginal birth.

• Less likely to use pain medication, including epidurals.

• More likely to have a positive childbirth experience.

• More likely to initiate breastfeeding successfully.

• They also provide crucial support for the birthing partner, empowering them to participate confidently.

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

A midwife provides clinical care, monitors your health and the baby's health, and manages the medical aspects of birth. A doula provides continuous emotional and physical comfort. They do not perform medical tasks or make clinical decisions. Their focus is on you and your partner's well-being, helping you with comfort measures, advocacy, and navigating your birth plan. They are trained to provide options and ideas but not advise or tell you what to do. They do not have a preference on how you choose to birth your baby, only that you are well informed and listened to.

How do you work with my partner or other family members?

My role is not to replace your partner, but to complement their support and strengthen your birth team. I work to empower your partner, offering them guidance and tools to help you, and ensuring they feel confident and included throughout the process. I can suggest comfort techniques for them to use, provide them with breaks, and offer emotional reassurance so they can focus on supporting you.

What kind of services do you offer before and after the birth?

My full birth package includes three antenatal sessions where we'll get to know each other, discuss your birth preferences, and practice comfort measures. We can also go over any questions you have and help you create a birth plan. During labour, I will join you at your home or the hospital and provide continuous support until your baby is born and for the first few hours to help establish feeding, bonding, and ensuring you have everything you need. After the birth, I offer a postnatal visit to check in, help with newborn feeding, and help you navigate the questions that arise in the early days and weeks.

What happens if you are unavailable when I go into labour?

I have a backup doula who will join our WhatsApp group in the final weeks and who you would have a call to meet before I go on call for you. It’s rare that a clash happens, but better to be prepared in case of an emergency.

How much does a doula cost and what is included in the fee?

Doulas set their own pricing and the cost can vary depending on what is included in their support package, their experience and qualifications, where they are based and how far they are willing to travel, and the services they offer. 

How do I find the right doula for me?

It’s based partly on finding someone who offers the kind of support that feels right for you and partly finding someone whose personality and outlook aligns with yours. I usually recommend that you interview a few different doulas to find someone you connect with and feel comfortable with. You should ask about their experience, their philosophy on birth, and how they would support you and your partner if you have one.