To summarise the work that doulas do can sometimes feel daunting. One important reason for that is, in my opinion, because of the many ways in which doulas can differ from another depending on their own personal style, how they were trained, their experience, and their philosophy about what doula care is or what it should even look like. The good news is that you can have a better understanding of what a doula might be like by what they tell you about being a doula. So, here is my definition — 

Doulas are non-medical professional birth companions whose sole purpose is to be there for you as you transition from pregnancy to parenthood. We listen to your wishes and fears regarding pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. And to do so, we leave our own baggage and opinions behind - dedicating ourselves to create a safe space for you to feel heard and cared for. 

We also seek to help you navigate this time of profound changes by answering your questions, guiding you towards informational resources, or referring you to the right specialists. As in many other situations, in birth, knowledge is power. Having someone with extensive knowledge about childbirth and the maternity care system by your side can have a tremendous impact on the way in which you approach the birth of your baby. 

I often say that doulas are trained in the art of staying with you when it hurts. I believe this is an apt description for the type of support that doulas bring to the birth room. We’ve learned techniques to help you cope with contractions, get more comfortable, and navigate the sometimes long hours of labour. We don’t have any other obligations when we’re with you and so we can be there fully — holding space for you as you bring your baby earthside. 

Continuous support during childbirth, such as the one given by doulas, is said to: “improve outcomes for women and infants, including increased spontaneous vaginal birth, shorter duration of labour, and decreased caesarean birth, instrumental vaginal birth, use of any analgesia, use of regional analgesia, low five- minute Apgar score and negative feelings about childbirth experiences” (Bohren et al., 2017).

In the weeks following the birth of your baby, we give you the space to bond as a newly formed family. That being said, we’re never much further than a phone call away and when the need arise we continue to care for you as we already have. 

My Birth, by Carmen Winant

Offerings