What Are Doulas and What do They Do? |
 What is a birth doula?
A birth doula is a person trained and experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth. Many doulas are trained to understand the natural process of birth, respect its spiritual, physical, and emotional aspects, and facilitate the birth experience for parents, baby, and primary care providers. |
Are there other kinds of doulas?
Yes. Postpartum doulas also assist women. They differ from birth doulas in that they assist new moms in adjusting to life with their newborn babies AFTER the birth. Simply put: the job of the birth doula ends just as the job of the post-partum doula begins. Many doulas offer these services in tandem. |
Midwives are primary caregivers who make clinical decisions and give medical advice. Doulas are not the primary caregivers for their clients; and, unlike midwives or doctors, doulas are neither medically trained nor responsible for the medical wellbeing of mothers or babies. |
The words are interchangeable; a birth doula and a labor assistant both provide the same services: providing informational, emotional, and physical support to a woman and her partner during labor and birth. |
Do doulas deliver babies?
No. birth doulas help coach women through delivery and assist with the occasional "catching" of a baby, but cannot and do not offer any medical advice, care, or treatment. We do not practice medicine. |
Does a doula replace nursing staff?
No. Doulas do not replace nurses or other medical staff. Doulas do not perform clinical or medical tasks such as taking blood pressure or temperature, monitoring fetal heart rate, doing vaginal examinations or providing postpartum clinical care. They are there to comfort and support the mother and to enhance communication between the mother and medical professionals. |
Does a doula make decisions on my behalf?
A doula does not make decisions for clients or intervene in their clinical care. She provides informational and emotional support while respecting a woman’s decisions. |
Are doulas welcome in the hospital setting and how do you interact with the medical staff?
We have had many positive experiences working in hospitals and coordinating with the medical staff. Everyone is grateful for the doula's
helping hands. The doula makes the birth easier for everyone. Doulas keep the laboring couple calm and focused, explain medical procedures, assist with technical procedures like adjusting or unplugging the fetal heart rate monitor when necessary, changing soiled linens, and providing cool compresses, ice chips, pillows, and blankets for mom. The doula is a convenient liaison for the couple and the hospital staff |
The role of the doula here is to give information to the woman and/or couple to help them make the most informed decision on their choices. A doula should always respect the choice of birth the woman has chosen. If planning a medicated birth, the doula is an asset to the birthing team by helping the woman labor comfortably until the medication can be given and helping avoid unnecessary interventions. The doula is also an asset if medication is not an option or is not working effectively. |
Do I need a doula if I'm planning a homebirth and/or am using a midwife?
Your midwife will be taking care of clinical tasks in addition to providing you with physical or emotional support. Having a doula present takes the pressure off your midwife because your doula will be providing most of the support, which allows your midwife to focus more on the clinical aspects of your labor and birth. If you are birthing in a hospital with a midwife, she may not be able to stay with you throughout your whole labor (as she has to complete hospital paperwork or attend to other laboring women under her care). In my experience attending home births as a doula and as a woman who has used doulas at home births, I feel strongly that doulas are helpful members of the home birth team as each labor support person brings something unique to offer the birthing woman. |
Will a doula make my partner feel unnecessary?
Absolutely not! A doula is supportive to both the mother and her partner, and plays a crucial role in helping a partner become involved in the birth to the extent he/she feels comfortable. When it comes to the laboring mom's partner, the doula can supplement his/her efforts by running errands, making suggestions for comfort, and offering words of reassurance and praise. During a long, tiring labor, she can give the partner a break for a brief rest or change of scene. While the doula probably knows more than the partner about birth, hospitals, and maternity care, the partner knows more about the woman's personality, likes and dislikes, and needs. Moreover, he or she loves the woman more than anyone else there. The combined contributions of both partner and doula, along with a competent, considerate, and caring staff give the woman the best chance of an optimal outcome. |
If I have a doula, do I still need to take childbirth education classes?
Absolutely. Choosing effective childbirth education increases one's knowledge and confidence about the birth process. The more knowledgeable you are about birth the calmer you will be in labor and you will be able to make educated decisions along the way. Your doula will offer informational and emotional support before labor begins and will offer comprehensive support during labor and birth. However, only you can labor and birth your baby, and the more prepared you are for that task the more empowering it will be. |
The doula helps with decision-making by asking and answering questions to ensure that the couple is informed as they make their decisions. She may also suggest alternatives for the couple to consider. She does not, however, make decisions for the couple or force her idea of a perfect birth on the woman and/or couple. Her job is to facilitate the realization of the woman’s idea of her own perfect birth. |
A doula will be no stranger by the time of the birth. She will meet with you and your partner during your pregnancy to discuss your birth plan and goals. These visits generally last 1-2 hours. Your doula will be familiar with your medical history and will know what issues are important to you. She will likely be less of a stranger to you than your doctor or midwife and the many nurses that you may see. |
A doula would never take offense to this request. The role of the doula is to offer complete support to both woman and/or couple. If your wish is to have the doula leave, it is the duty of a doula to support you by leaving until she is asked to return.
|
Hiring a Doula and Doula Logistics |
How Does Hiring a Doula Work?
Lincoln Doulas are committed to making hiring a doula a less stressful task for you. Please read about each doula and decide who you might like to hire and then contact them through the individual contact information listed. Most doulas offer the services listed below.
- Free Initial Consultation: This usually takes place over the phone or as an informal meeting, in which both you, your partner, and the doula determine whether you're a great match.
- Two Prenatal visits: During these visits, you and your doula will discuss your preferences for this labor and birth, work on birth planning as needed, and practice for labor and birth. Many doulas provide 24-hour phone and e-mail support during pregnancy.
- Labor and birth support: Your doula will be with you throughout your labor and birth, at home and at the hospital, to provide continuous and undivided attention that you need.
- Breastfeeding support: Your doula will remain with you for at least one to two hours after birth to assist with early breastfeeding.
- Postpartum Visit: By one to two weeks after your baby's birth, your doula will set up a meeting to talk about your birth recovery process and see how well you are healing, visit your family to discuss your birth experience, and clarify any questions that you may have. Your doula may also be available to evaluate your baby's breastfeeding progress.
|
|
Most insurance does not cover the cost of doulas at this time. You may be able to pay for doula services out of your medical savings account, flexible spending account, or cafeteria plan. If finances are an issue for you, ask the doula if she offers a sliding scale, trades, or payment plans. |
When should I start looking for a doula?
Doulas are available to you during all stage of pregnancy and useful when planning your birth. It is our recommendation that if you have decided to hire a doula you should go begin this process at this time regardless of where you are in pregnancy. And if you are further along, please don't hesitate to contact the site administrators directly for help in finding a good match quickly (even if you're due next week!).
|
In Nebraska, doula fees range anywhere between $150 - $750 depending on the services provided and the doula's training and experience. Some doulas offer a sliding scale or even attend births for free for women who truly cannot afford the cost of a doula. We also have doulas listed on this site who will work for trade of products or services. One doula was recently paid with half of a butchered pig. |
Most insurance does not cover the cost of doulas at this time. You may be able to pay for doula services out of your medical savings account, flexible spending account, or cafeteria plan. If finances are an issue for you, ask the doula if she offers a sliding scale, trades, or payment plans. |
Doulas should have back-up doulas in the unlikely event that two clients go into labor at the same time, the doula (or a family member) is ill, or other urgent matters prevent her from attending your birth. |
History and More Information |
Where does the word “doula” come from?
The word “doula” comes from ancient Greek, meaning 'Woman’s servant'. Throughout history and in much of the world today, a special group of women support a woman through labor and birth, giving back rubs and providing continuous emotional support. Like their historical counterparts, DONA International birth doulas know how to help a woman in labor feel better. However, today’s doulas are much more diverse than their predecessors. DONA International membership includes men and women from a wide range of ages and cultural backgrounds. |
Doulas will vary greatly in their training and experiences but all have a passion for birth and helping moms and their coach during their greatest time of need. There is no legal requirement for doulas in the State of Nebraska at this time, some doulas are simply self taught and have researched labor assistant techniques and experienced many births to gain expand their knowledge base. Please read the testimonials listed for each Lincoln doula on their individual web pages under credentials and experience.
Doula training is available through The Bradley Method of Natural Chidlbirth® also knows as AAHCC (American Academy of Husband Coached Childbirth) ,Lamaze, DONA (Doulas of North America, CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association), ALACE (Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators), and ICEA (International Childbirth Education Association). There are additional ways to become certified through independent study or other programs such as Hypnobabies. Please choose your doula based on their passion for birth, views of birth, experience, and try to find a match to your personal needs for labor and birth. |
What effects does the presence of a doula have on mothers, babies, and birth outcomes?
Pilot studies in other communities have shown that doula care:
- Reduces the use of intervention (including cesarean section, forceps or vacuum delivery, episiotomy, induction, and medication), which reduces medical risk to the mother and the baby and the cost of the birth.
- Increases both parents' satisfaction about the birth.
- Reduces the overall rate of surgical intervention in cities with large volunteer doula programs.
The numbers are out there and the evidence is glaring. Doulas just know that women helping other women give birth feels natural and inherently safe. |
Please help us add to our FAQ's section by submitting your unique questions here. |
Doula Facts
