Benefits of a Birth Doula
How a birth doula can support you in all the weeks, and hours, before your baby arrives.
BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE
Hiring a birth doula might seem like an alternative way to bring your baby into the world, but actually, doulas aren’t just for hippies and celebrities.
There’s a doula for every kind of mum-to-be, and if you’re not sure what a doula does, or how they could help you deliver your bundle of joy, then read on!
We spoke with Damaris Haede, a Sydney-based birth doula who runs Mum’s Oasis, to learn more about this age-old role and its benefits for modern mums.
Basically, a birth doula is a non-medical pregnancy and birth support person who fits in with you.
Damaris says there’s no one type of doula, so, “You’re free to choose someone who aligns with your values and birth plans.”
This means that if you’re looking for a home birth with essential oils, or a hospital birth with all the painkillers, there’s a doula to meet your needs and support you in whatever pregnancy and birth choices you make.
Damaris says, “You can decide to have your baby at home, in a birth centre or in a maternity ward, in the public or private system, and your doula comes with you on whichever journey you choose.”
One of the big drawcards of a doula is that they provide continuous care.
You can hire a doula from the moment you find out you’re expecting, and your doula will meet with you at least one or two times before labour starts to talk through your birth choices and build familiarity with you.
However, lots of doulas also offer monthly support, and no matter how an individual doula works, they’ll provide information about birth, prepare you for the big day, and help you through every, single contraction.
You can call your doula from the moment you feel that first labour ‘twinge,’ and Damaris explains that, “They’ll be there for you for the duration of your birth, no matter how long that may be.”
As labour progresses, your doula will support you in all the ways you’ve previously requested – whether that’s with massage, acupressure points and/or breathing exercises – and they’ll offer different comfort measure suggestions and birthing positions as needed.
These physical supports can help a lot as labour intensifies, but doulas also offer emotional support, and Damaris says this is one of the biggest benefits.
She explains that, “When you’re birthing it’s really helpful to have someone there who cheers you on and encourages you on the way; and having one birthing expert there with you for the whole labour and delivery helps you to feel calmer and more confident in your body’s ability.”
Once your baby has arrived, your birth doula will generally stay for a few hours to help with the initial bonding period and breastfeeding, and Damaris says, “Most doulas offer a birth de-briefing to talk through the experience and answer any questions.”
After this, the birth doula’s work is done, though there is the option of hiring a postpartum doula, like Motherhood with Keturah, to help you recover from birth and adjust to life as a new mum.
Doulas also offer support for dads-to-be, because although it’s common for men to be in the delivery room these days, this doesn’t mean they necessarily know what to do in there!
Damaris says a doula can get to know your partner during pregnancy, and when you’re labouring, they can suggest ways for your partner to support you, translate unfamiliar medical terminology and procedures, and even give your partner the opportunity for a quick nap if labour is lasting a long time.
It is important to know that doulas offer emotional and practical support, but they’re not qualified to provide medical care.
Damaris says, “Though doulas are generally welcome in the hospital system, and midwives and obstetricians value the continuity of care they provide, doulas aren’t healthcare professionals.”
She says, “In Australia, this is not a regulated industry. No qualifications are needed to enter into this role, though there are training providers in Australia, and most of the doulas I work with have some kind of certification.”
Damaris herself holds a midwife qualification from Germany, so she does have a medical background, and although it’s rare for doulas to be former midwives, she says it is important to ask about training and experience when choosing your doula.
If you’re giving birth in a hospital, like most of Damaris’ clients do, then there will be ready access to medical help if needed, and if you’re planning a home birth, with a doula who specialises in this, it’s very important to confirm what happens in the case of unexpected events and complications.
That said, it’s the doula’s non-medical role that appeals to many women.
Damaris says a lot of women hire doulas because they’d like to stay at home for as long as possible, with a support person, before going to hospital.
Women also commonly hire doulas because they want a natural, unmedicated birth – though doulas do support all birth choices, including medicated ones.
Damaris helps women to birth their babies with interventions, like epidurals and Caesareans, but says many of her clients hire her because they want to ‘go natural’ after having a medicalised birth in the past.
She says, “Women may choose a doula if they had a Caesarean with their first child and would like to have a natural birth this time, and they know that to achieve this, they need the extra, continuous support that a doula can provide.”
“Women who’ve had traumatic births in the past may also seek out a doula to help them have a more positive experience,” and Damaris says that the idea of having one person to provide support through the whole pregnancy and birth is appealing for many mums-to-be.
If you are interested in recruiting a doula, then it’s important to do your research and hire a person you genuinely connect with.
You can search for doulas in your area using the Doula Directory, and they also provide a doula interview guide to help you ask the right questions and make the best decision.
Damaris says, “Most doulas offer a free ‘get-to-know-you’ chat, so you can meet with a few doulas and choose the one that aligns with you,” and no matter what hopes and plans you have, a quality doula will make helpful suggestions, but leave the big birthing decisions to you.”
