A doula is more than just a birth professional - they are your trusted companion on this incredible journey into parenthood. With their extensive training and expertise, doulas offer unwavering support to families during every stage, from pregnancy and birth to the postpartum period. It's important to note that doulas work hand in hand with your midwife or OB rather than replacing them.

With a doula by your side, you can experience a birth that is not only physically comfortable but emotionally uplifting too. Their presence ensures you have access to the knowledge and information you need to make informed decisions that align with your wishes and goals. Beyond just birth, doulas are ready to assist you throughout the entire process - from fertility to postpartum care.

Whether you choose a birth doula or a postpartum doula, their focus remains on you and your well-being. They go above and beyond to create a nurturing environment and provide the necessary support during these critical moments.

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.

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

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.

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.

A doula provides emotional, physical, and informational support. Your doula will provide evidence-based information, clinical research, and walk through your birth journey with you as a guide. A midwife will follow you through your pregnancy journey differently since they will be providing your medical care. A midwife will perform blood pressure checks, weight checks, fundal height etc… and be the one to deliver your baby.