If you’ve never heard the term “Doula” before, don’t worry. I never heard of them until about halfway through our pregnancy. A doula is basically a professional support person who provides support and guidance during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. There are a lot of unknowns during pregnancy, whether it’s your first baby or your 10th. It can be a scary time and many parents are worried about doing the wrong thing. After all, babies don’t really come with instruction manuals. Having, someone knowledgeable that can guide us during the whole process can provide healthier outcomes for both the mother and the baby.

How can doulas make our lives easier during this exciting, yet highly emotional and stressful time? Well, let’s talk about some of the benefits. First of all, there is the physical support. Doulas often have a magic touch. They can provide tools for positioning and comfort that will make the whole birthing process easier. At least as easy as it can be. Next, they can provide emotional support by being nurturing and allowing a safe space for emotions to be expressed freely. Pregnancy is difficult, both physically and mentally, and just having a knowledgeable person to talk to can be a huge weight off of our shoulders. Can you be an emotional support person for your partner? Of course, you can. Can friends, family, and acquaintances jump in. Yes, this is also true. However, a doula, as I mentioned earlier, is highly knowledgeable and trained in these situations and can often provide objective observations. While friends and family may have good intentions, their advice may not always be the best.

Speaking of being a support partner, the doula will also be there for you. Furthermore, they can provide support for every birth partner, whether it’s a romantic partner, a friend, grandparents, or anyone else closely involved with the birthing process. Doulas can help improve the experience of everyone involved.

Finally, doulas are a wealth of information and can provide a bridge for communication between their clients and providers. They have access to many resources that are evidence-based and can be a voice for those they support while advocating for the best care possible during the whole birthing process. This can allow mothers and their partners to ask better questions and make more informed decisions, and trust me, there will be plenty.

So, should you hire a doula? I will simply say that it’s up to you. I have provided the benefits and I advise you to do further research to determine if having one is right for you. It is very advantageous to have a professional support person by your side, but it is not absolutely necessary. Personally speaking, we did not have a doula. However, we also did a lot of research, took many classes, and had some supportive friends and family. Our OB-GYN is also wonderful. Nowadays, there are tons of resources out there, including free ones, so take advantage of those. Whatever you decide to do, good luck and I wish you and your family the best!