Why We LOVE Doulas!
Rae Johnson-Bundy of Doula Right Thing, based in Lancaster, PA.
By LMFM Staff on March 23, 2022
Consider hiring a doula!
You may have read social media posts or articles about how employing a qualified doula may improve birth outcomes, and how they can help you advocate for yourself during the birth process. You may still have questions about the roles and responsibilities doulas can fill. At LMFM, we love to work with doulas (and midwives)! Read more to see why.
First of all, what IS a doula?
If you visit www.dona.org (Doulas of North America) you’ll see their definition, paraphrased here: A doula is someone who is specially trained to provide physical and emotional support and information to a mother before, during and after childbirth. The goal is to provide tools to the parents in order to have the safest, healthiest, and empowered experience possible.
In 2014, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology released a statement: “Published data indicate that one of the most effective tools to improve labor and delivery outcomes is the continuous presence of support personnel, such as a doula.”
14 Great Things About Doulas (because 10 wasn’t enough):
1. Doulas are specially trained to support you and your family before, during, and after childbirth.
2. They provide education and information that will help you make the best decisions for your unique situation.
3. They are there to advocate for YOU and to help make your birthing experience as worry-free as possible.
4. Your doula will help you formulate a birthing plan.
5. A doula can help you communicate with your providers and understand any needed procedures.
6. There is a growing body of evidence that doulas improve birth outcomes: In one study, doula-assisted births were four times less likely to have a low birth weight baby and two times less likely to have birth complications.
Learning to breastfeed is challenging. Many doulas have training to help you.
7. Your doula can often help you with breastfeeding; some are even certified lactation consultants!
8. Your doula can help make your pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience more positive for you and your whole family.
9. Doulas continually improve their evidence-based best practices by attending professional development seminars and continuing education classes, consulting with physicians and nurses, and other doulas.
10. Doulas adhere to a strict code of ethics that emphasizes responsibility to the clients (parents and fetus), education and professionalism.
11. Your doula will be there for you and your family, period.
Family support is a vital part of what doulas have to offer.
12. Many insurances now cover all or part of the doula’s fee.
13. There is limited but encouraging research that suggests that the continuous support a doula offers may be associated with a shorter length of labor, decreased use of pain medication during labor and a decreased incidence of cesarean section.
14. You can have a doula attend your birth in addition to your family member (if you are allowed to have one person in attendance, your doula won’t “use up” that one allowance).
Ready to start your research?
Make sure your doula is fully accredited and licensed. Often the best way to start is to ask friends or your provider if they can recommend someone.
Find a doula:
https://www.blackdoulas.org/national-directory
https://www.dona.org/what-is-a-doula/find-a-doula/
Doulas we love:
Rae Johnson-Bundy: https://doularightthingpa.com/
Rae also recommends Christi Stoltzfus https://www.bellissimamadoula.com
and Madhu Rajakittu: https://www.facebook.com/guidinghanddoula
Stacy Martinez is both a therapist AND a doula: https://www.strongertogetherllc.net/
References:
Impact of Doulas on Healthy Birth Outcomes : Kenneth J. Gruber, Susan H. Cupito, Christina F. Dobson J Perinat Educ. 2013 Winter; 22(1): 49–58. doi: 10.1891/1058-1243.22.1.49 PMCID: PMC3647727
Bowers, B. B. (2002). Mothers’ experiences of labor support: Exploration of qualitative research. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing, 31(6), 742-752.
Mayo Clinic: Do You Need a Doula? https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/labor-and-delivery/expert-answers/doula/faq-20057910
Benefits of a Doula, from dona.org:
