Do I need a Doula?!?!?

We first see the word Doula first being used in the 1960's, but its routes are ancient. Our modern day term for doula comes from the Greek word "maiai." The word come from the Greek word, "douleia," which means slavery, the slave in this context would have been a slave who helped a woman giving birth.

The modern day doula is obviously not thought of in these terms. In an article from NPR called, "Doulas: Exploring a Modern Day Tradition of Support, it states, "Today, 'doula' refers to a professional trained to provide emotional, physical and informational support to women throughout their pregnancy, birth and the early postpartum period." When you think of doula, think support.

https://www.npr.org/sections/babyproject/2011/07/14/137827923/doulas-exploring-a-tradition-of-support#:~:text=The%20word%20%22doula%22%20comes%20from,and%20the%20early%20postpartum%20period.

Pregnancy, birth and postpartum are some of the most vulnerable times in a woman's life. We host life, create an organ, go through the groans and difficulties of delivery, breastfeeding and then our bodies change all over again. This is an experience only we go through, but we can have support around us as we go through it. We can look to women who have gone before us, holding us up in our most vulnerable state, someone helping not only us in our time of need but also guiding the partner to be their best self in this beautiful time and space. A doulas job is irreplaceable.

So why hire a doula? The most important thing to remember is that the doula is there for you. The doula is your person, she/he is there to get you through that moment, the way you want it, to the best of their ability, they are there to serve you in whatever way you feel most blessed, not only in the actual birth, but the whole pregnancy, birth and postpartum period. Just this week one of my clients was feeling overwhelmed so doula care looked like me going over and helping her prepare freezer meals and straightening up before baby comes.

So the proof is in the pudding, here are some helpful statistics from americanpregnancy.org, "Other studies have shown that having a doula as a member of the birth team decreases the overall cesarean rate by 50%, the length of labor by 25%, the use of oxytocin by 40%, and requests for an epidural by 60%.2." Did you read that, those statistics are staggering.

https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/labor-and-birth/having-a-doula/#:~:text=Women%20also%20reported%20having%20a%20more%20positive%20childbirth%20experience.&text=Other%20studies%20have%20shown%20that,for%20an%20epidural%20by%2060%25.

I want to add one final thought to clear up some confusion I have personally experienced. The role of a doula is not to make sure you get an unmedicated birth, the role of a doula is to help you get the birth you want. We are there to support you, remind you of your goals, help your partner be their in the desired capacity and so much more. We are there for you, and to help you achieve your goals.

Lets do this!