WHAT IS A DOULA?
A doula in its simplest term is a person who is trained to provide support to families during pregnancy, childbirth, and the period of time following the birth. The depth of doula work is much greater than appears on the surface.
There are a few different types of doulas, birth, postpartum, and sibling.
It is also important that you find a doula that is the right fit for you and your family. Interview several. Have a list of specific question to make sure that their philosophies around birth match yours. If you have certain requirements or specials needs, ask other doulas to point you in the right direction of someone with those qualifications. The doula community is a wonderful web of peers that only want what’s best for the parents.
BIRTH DOULAS
In the first few meetings, your doula will help educate you on what to expect, work out a birth plan, and give you some coping techniques to practice so they become second nature. This meeting will usually occur in the beginning of your third trimester but can happen any time even before you become pregnant.
Your doula will be on call and at the ready starting two weeks before your due date. During labor, your doula is there to help you cope with contractions, provide encouragement, and make it the best experience possible. Your doula will also help keep the lines of communication open between you and the care team. It is important to note that your doula is never to speak for you. This is your birth and you are in control. Your doula can give your partner a much needed break to rest so everyone is able to focus on you and you are never without support. They are also a great person to take pictures for you.
After you child is born your doula will have one more check in with you about a week after you are home. At this visit they see how you are adjusting and go over any questions you have about the birth.
POSTPARTUM DOULAS
A postpartum doula is different from a birth doula in many ways. Their time with you is scheduled in advance. Also their training is more focused on newborn care and breast feeding. Birth doulas do have some knowledge of that but a postpartum doula will have more detailed training. The length of time and number of days spent with the new family varies with what the doula offers and what the family needs.
Postpartum doulas can help you in the first few months in several ways. They can help with that sink full of dishes that never seems to end. They can help fold a basket of laundry while you breast feeding so you can focus on the baby. They are there to help ease your mind and give you time to bond with the baby, answer any questions you may have in this new role. Most importantly, they will recognize any signs that more help is needed. Doulas are the professionals most likely to recognize when it’s more than just baby blues. They will have resources and recommendations of people for you to reach out.
SIBLING DOULAS
A sibling doula is there to help keep older siblings entertained and answer any question they may have of what’s going on. They will often work with another doula so one can maintain focus on the person giving birth and one on the siblings.
Some doulas only focus to one of these areas. Since a birth doula goes on call and a birth can happen at any time, they may not be available to new moms with postpartum help. Some doulas also like knowing when they work and the ability to schedule around life events.
The most important thing to remember is that you and your doula have a connection. You will be going through a life changing event with them and you want to make sure you have the support you need.
