JAS THE DOULA

Doula for Labor

Doulas have been around for centuries, attending childbirth, and providing physical and emotional support during the labor and delivery process. These birth workers were traditionally prominent in African American communities and served as healers and spiritual guides. Before the 1930’s women typically gave birth at home with their midwife, family and friends. During this time most midwives were practicing in rural areas and were known as “granny midwives”; individuals who learned their trade on their own.

Birth Support Doula

Only 5% of births occurred in hospitals in the 1900’s. The shift to hospital births began in the 20th century as a result of increased regulation and medical advances such as the use of antibiotics, oxytocin, and blood transfusions. Between the late 19th century and the mid-20th century there was a dramatic change in the obstetric care of women. More physicians, mostly men, in the late 19th century began dominating obstetric care and replacing midwives, who were mostly women. According to the National Institute of Health, a study was conducted finding that home births attended to by midwives during this time actually had the lowest maternal death rate and that approximately two-thirds of the maternal deaths that occurred in hospital were preventable. The causes of maternal death, in order of prevalence, were found to be puerperal sepsis, eclampsia, hemorrhage, and accidents. Mothers began once more relying on doulas for emotional support and physical support in labor. Doulas are able to advocate for patients rights and health equity further improving health outcomes and decrease maternal and fetal/ newborn mortality rates. Moreover, over time, acknowledgement of these risks resulted in changes in the practice of obstetrics and, along with scientific advancement such as the discovery of antibiotics in 1929, the maternal mortality rate declined to where it is today. In 1992, DONA International was founded and became the first organization to train and certify doulas.

What do Doulas do?

Doulas can provide personalized guidance through pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum. Doulas provide evidence-based information to help you make informed decisions in your care, provide emotional support, and provide physical support to women and their families before, during, and after childbirth.

Doulas help:

  • Explain what’s going on, procedures, options, medical jargon etc.
  • Communicate needs and preferences
  • Create a birth plan
  • Support in labor with comfort measures
  • Instill confidence
  • Provide resources and referrals
  • Initiate breastfeeding
  • Postpartum care
  • Newborn care
  • Care for siblings
  • Light house-work

What Are The Benefits of Having a Doula

Having a doula can help you feel informed and empowered to achieve your ideal birth outcome.

Statistics show the following regarding doulas:

  • Doulas shorten labor
  • Doulas reduce the need for pain medicine during labor
  • Doulas reduce the risk of cesarean births
  • Doulas decrease the need for interventions and assistive devices such as forceps or suction

Will My Partner be Able to Participate in My Birth if We Get a Doula?

Doulas do not take the role of partners in birth. In fact doulas can provide support to your partner too! Doulas work with you and your family as a team to provide support and comfort measures. I love to involve partners and show them massage and counter-pressure techniques to use to help in labor. Doulas also provide reassurance to partners, making sure their needs are met, so they are better equipped to participate at their own comfort level.

Can Doulas Assist With Cesarean Births?

Doulas can help an expectant mother prepare and plan for both scheduled and emergent c-sections. A doula can provide you with knowledge about options to enhance your experience that you may wish to consider if a c-section is necessary. Furthermore, doulas can pray with you if desired and provide relaxation techniques while preparing for surgery and during the birth. Afterwards, if baby must go to the NICU immediately after birth, your partner is able to follow baby to the NICU and your doula can stay with you to ensure your well-being. Once baby begins to show feeding cues a doula as assist with initiating breastfeeding, hand expression, or pumping. In the first few weeks postpartum a doula can help you process your birth, and offer resources such as support groups, massage therapist, lactation consultations and more

How to Find the Right Doula for You?

Finding a supportive birth team is imperative in achieving good birth outcomes.

Some things to consider when searching for the right doula for you:

  • Training
  • Certification
  • Experience
  • Services offered
  • Compatibility
  • Availability
  • Associated fees
Furthermore, choosing a doula isn’t just about credentials—it’s about chemistry, trust, and feeling truly seen.

Here’s how to find the one who feels right for you:

1. Know What Type of Support You Want

Birth doula? Postpartum? Full-spectrum? Nervous system-informed? Start by getting clear on what kind of presence you’re looking for. Ask: What phase do I need support in? What kind of energy do I want around me?

2. Ask About Their Philosophy

Birth doula? Postpartum? Full-spectrum? Nervous system-informed?

Start by getting clear on what kind of presence you’re looking for.

Ask: What phase do I need support in? What kind of energy do I want around me?

3. Check Their Cultural Awareness & Inclusivity

Especially important for Black and Brown birthing people.

You deserve someone who honors your lived experience, respects your traditions, and actively works against bias.

Ask: How do you support clients from diverse backgrounds?

4. Pay Attention to How You Feel in Their Presence

Do you feel relaxed, affirmed, and safe? Or unsure, talked over, or judged?

Your nervous system will tell you if it’s a good match.

Trust your body.

5. Ask About Boundaries & Availability

Make sure their schedule, communication style, and response time match your needs.

Ask: How many clients do you take per month? How do we stay in touch?

6. Look for Alignment, Not Perfection

The “right” doula doesn’t mean the fanciest, most followed, or most experienced.

It’s the one who feels like the right fit—for your values, your energy, and your healing.

You deserve a doula who supports your power—not just your birth.

Take your time. Ask questions. Trust your instincts.

Wishing you the best in your journey.
 

Types of Doulas: Finding the Right Support for Your Journey

Doulas are not one-size-fits-all. There are different types of doulas, each offering specialized support depending on where you are in your reproductive journey. Understanding these roles can help you choose the care that best meets your needs.

Birth Doula

A birth doula provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support during pregnancy, labor, and immediately after birth.
They help you:

  • Prepare for labor with education and comfort techniques
  • Advocate for your preferences in your birth space
  • Stay grounded and supported through contractions with hands-on techniques like positioning, breathing, and movement

Birth doulas support all types of births—whether unmedicated, medicated, cesarean, hospital, birth center, or home birth.

 

Postpartum Doula

A postpartum doula supports you after your baby is born, during the critical recovery and adjustment period.
They assist with:

  • Newborn care guidance and feeding support (breast or bottle)
  • Emotional support and processing your birth experience
  • Light household tasks and helping you rest and recover
  • Creating routines that support healing and bonding

This type of support is especially valuable in the first 6–12 weeks postpartum, but can extend longer based on your needs.

Antepartum Doula

An antepartum doula provides support during pregnancy when there are medical challenges, high-risk conditions, or the need for additional care.
They may:

  • Offer emotional reassurance during bed rest or complicated pregnancies
  • Help you prepare for birth despite unexpected changes
  • Provide partner support and education

This role bridges the gap between medical care and emotional support during pregnancy.

Full-Spectrum Doula

A full-spectrum doula supports individuals across the entire reproductive experience—not just birth. This includes:

  • Fertility journeys
  • Pregnancy and birth
  • Postpartum recovery
  • Miscarriage, loss, or abortion support

Full-spectrum doulas provide nonjudgmental, inclusive care that honors all experiences and outcomes.

Bereavement (Loss) Doula

A bereavement doula supports families experiencing pregnancy or infant loss.
They offer:

  • Emotional support and presence during an incredibly difficult time
  • Guidance through decision-making and memory-making
  • Resources for grief and healing

This care is deeply compassionate and centered on honoring both baby and family.

Specialized Doulas

Some doulas receive additional training to support specific communities or needs, such as:

  • High-Risk Pregnancy Support
  • C-Section Preparation and recovery
  • Trauma- Informed Doulas
  • Fertility Doulas
  • Abortion Doulas

These doulas bring culturally competent, tailored care that aligns with your lived experience.

Fertility Doula

A fertility doula supports individuals and couples trying to conceive.
They may help with:

  • Emotional support during TTC (trying to conceive)
  • Education around cycle tracking and reproductive health
  • Support through fertility treatments like IVF or IUI
  • Coping with stress, uncertainty, or previous loss

Abortion Doula

An abortion doula provides nonjudgmental support before, during, and after an abortion.
Support can include:

  • Emotional reassurance and companionship
  • Education on what to expect physically and emotionally
  • Holding space without stigma or pressure

Trauma-Informed Doula

A trauma-informed doula is trained to support clients with past trauma (medical, sexual, birth-related, or otherwise).
They:

  • Prioritize consent, safety, and emotional regulation
  • Help clients feel in control of their experience
  • Use grounding techniques and clear communication throughout care

How to Find a Doula Near Me?

To find a local doula consider the following:

1. Online Directories:

  • DoulaMatch: This website allows you to search for doulas by location and date, and also provides information on their availability. 
  • Bornbir: This website is an online directory of maternal health services throughout fertility, pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum.

2. Local Recommendations:

  • Join a local moms facebook group  & Ask friends and family: See if anyone has had positive experiences with local doulas

Remember this is your birth story. Take your time. Have at least three good picks to interview. Go with your intuition.

-Jas
State Certified Full Spectrum Doula

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