Pregnancy 32 – BumptUp

You may have heard other pregnant women talk about using a doula and wondered what is involved with doula support. If you’re considering looking into hiring a doula, we’ve put together some tips that can help you make the best choice for your pregnancy, labor, and delivery.

A doula is a trained childbirth professional who offers pregnant woman assistance before, during, and after delivery. The support can range from emotional (offering encouragement) to physical (providing pain relief techniques during labor). A doula typically starts working with a pregnant client in her third trimester, allowing time for them to form a relationship and feel comfortable with each other and discuss birthing options and preferences.

Doulas are skilled at using a variety of techniques during labor that can help reduce anxiety, fear, and pain. The key role of a doula is to offer comfort, support, and help advocate for the birth experience her client desires. There’s even research that has shown that women who used a doula during labor and delivery bonded more effectively with their baby. Most doulas also provide antepartum support with breastfeeding and infant bonding—as well as helping new moms feel more confident about their mothering abilities.

If you’re thinking about hiring a doula, here are a few questions that you should ask to make sure you find a doula that will be a good fit:

Where did you receive your doula training?
Are you a certified doula?
What services do you provide?
How long have you worked as a doula, and can you provide references?
What are your fees, and what do they include?
What is your philosophy regarding childbirth?
Are you available for my due date?
Will you be on call 24/7 for my birth?
Will you meet with me postpartum, and what is covered during those visits?

For more information, check out the Doulas of North America website link below.

https://www.dona.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Interview-Guide-for-Parents-final.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28681500