5 Benefits to having a Doula on your Birth Team

Physical comfort during labor

During labor as contractions begin to get uncomfortable, your doula can be a set of hands to provide different comfort measures during contractions to counteract the pressure felt in your lower back and hips. In between the contractions, your doula can offer light massage and touch to help keep you relaxed and in your labor zone. Keeping your muscles relaxed and free of tension is KEY!

Mental/Emotional support during labor

This is a big one! The end of pregnancy can be a mental game and it is easy to get overwhelmed during the laboring process. Having someone to talk to during those last couple weeks can be so helpful to staying in the right mental space for the upcoming birth. Birthing a baby is hard work (whether you are med free or not)! There is no getting around that. Having constant emotional support to remind you of all the hard work you are doing, that what you are feeling is normal and encouraging you through every step of the way can make a huge difference on the experience of labor.

Education

Doulas are not “know-it-all’s” but we are very educated in birth and babies, we have experience and we have resources. It’s no secret that births rarely go exactly to “plan.” A doula on your birth team can hold the space for you to make informed decisions if unexpected deviations from your preferences unfold either before or during labor & delivery. Your doula is there to answer your questions, help you formulate medical questions for your provider, talk through pros and cons of different options and help you explore alternatives so that you can be confident in your decisions!

Positional Encouragement

The best thing you can do in labor to help your baby turn and move down the pelvis is to stay mobile and fluid. Your doula will encourage positional changes throughout your labor process. If your labor is “stalling” or slowing down, doula’s can suggest positions that may help your baby turn into a better position for a more efficient labor.

Doula’s & Partners

Spouses/partners report more positive birthing experiences with a doula present. Doula’s can help to foster the connection between the laboring mom and her partner prior to and during labor and delivery. One of the ways a doula can do this is by teaching the partner comfort techniques, and holding space for birth conversations between mom and partner. Doulas and partners often make a great team during labor and delivery to offer mom maximum support for her needs and wants.

It is proven that having a doula at your birth can reduce the length of labor, reduces chances of cesarean and other medical interventions as well as reduces the use of epidural. Families that had a doula on their birth team report higher satisfaction of their birthing experience.

If you are wondering how a doula could support your family through pregnancy, birth and/or the postpartum period, talk with some doulas! Most offer a free consultation call and it's important to find a doula that aligns with your needs & values.

If you are in the surrounding areas of Cincinnati or Dayton, Ohio, we would love to chat with you!