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What is a Doula?
The word doula comes from the Greek word for the most important female slave or servant in an ancient Greek household, the woman who probably helped the lady of the house through her childbearing. The word has come to refer to "a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth." (Klaus, Kennell and Klaus, Mothering the Mother) The complete focus of a doula is the continuous emotional, physical and informational support of the pregnant couple. Here is more specific information on the role of a doula, and the organization with which I am certified.
What if my husband is ready and willing to be a great labor supporter? Why might I still want a Doula?
The husband and doula are complementary to one another in providing optimal support to the laboring mother, neither the same, nor in conflict. (You would not usually say to a bride, “You already have a groom, do you still need a maid of honor?”) A doula can never love the laboring mom as much or in the same way as the husband can. He knows her and loves her intimately, he is the father of the baby she is working to birth, and he is one of the main figures in the event taking place- his role is vital. However, the husband has never given birth, nor is he usually very experienced in providing labor support in the same way a doula is. By their doula’s presence, the father is freed from needing to remember every idea mentioned in childbirth class. The doula is able to help him to help his beloved. He can relax into savoring his journey into fatherhood, because the doula is there to support both parents. Working together, the father’s knowledge of the mother, and the doula’s knowledge of birth, can give the ultimate level of comfort and support to the laboring woman and best provide her with the opportunity for a birth experience she will remember with joy for the rest of her life.
If I have a midwife, do I still need a Doula?
Having a doula complements most every birth, whether at home, in a birth center, or in a hospital- and whether attended by a doctor or a midwife. (I regularly provide labor support in all three settings and am comfortable in each.)
The roles of the doula and the care provider are not the same. (You would not say to a bride, “You already have the preacher there, do you still need a maid of honor?”) A doula does not perform any clinical duties or provide any medical care; this is the job of the midwife or doctor.
Most midwives do provide some emotional and physical support during labor when they are not performing their clinical duties- but their first priority must be centered on the continuing health of the mother and the baby. The doula’s only focus and priority is providing continuity of care from the standpoint of emotional, physical and informational support of the pregnant couple. Most midwives and many doctors welcome the contribution of the doula to the birth team, knowing that studies show women’s satisfaction with their birth experience to be greatly increased by a doula’s presence, among other benefits.
What is your role as a Doula, or professional labor coach?
A doula is nothing if not flexible! What your doula actually does to support you depends on your preferences and the circumstances of your birth. In one birth, the mother might need constant support from her husband, in which case the doula might be focused primarily on supporting the husband so that he can continue to support his wife. In another birth, the doula and the father might take turns providing emotional and physical support to the laboring mother. Other times, the father might provide all of the emotional support while the doula provides the physical support. In some labors, the doula works more closely with the staff. She can help with continuity of care as the care providers change work shifts, updating the new care providers on the couple's wishes, if the mom is too far into labor to want to discuss these preferences. Sometimes the doula provides ideas, other times, information about procedures under consideration; sometimes- emotional support, encouragement, affirmation and prayer, other times- physical comforts, like massage, hot and cold compresses, etc. The doula is ready to step in to whatever role the birthing couple needs at any given moment.
How much does it cost to have a doula?
There is no one “going rate” for having a doula, as prices vary based on geography, experience, and even the clients’ ability to pay. My customary fee is $600, with a $50 discount given to clients who take my childbirth classes. This option is highly recommended, as couples will have far more time to get to know me, and for me to get to know them and their preferences. Usually doulas provide prenatal visits and a postpartum visit, in addition to the labor support, which is great, and is far more time than they have spent with others who will be attending them in labor. However, spending an entire weekend together in childbirth classes really gives the couple much more personal time becoming comfortable with me. Developing this relationship enables me to be the best help I can be to them in labor. This is why I offer a discount for those who choose both my classes and my doula services. For couples who choose to take other childbirth education classes, I provide the customary interview meeting, one or two prenatal visits, labor support, and a postpartum visit. I also provide the couple with a copy of my notes from the birth, after they have had time to compose their own memories of the day.
What if you have a scheduling conflict when I go into labor?
I am in partnership with two other area doulas. Together, we form the Servant Heart Doulas group. I usually concentrate my efforts in Dallas and the Dallas suburbs to the east and south, while Laura is based out of Denton County, and Lesley is focused on Tarrant County. However, each of us provides backup coverage for the others’ births, so that if for some reason, the doula who is hired is unable to attend the mother in her labor, the laboring mother will not be left without a doula. All three of us are committed Christian women with similar experience and philosophies about birth.
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