Sure, I've heard about sleep doulas, but what exactly does a birth doula do? I found out when I attended a friend's baby shower awhile back and I met Nici Shipway, my friend's birth doula. I've kept in touch with Nici, and her
website’s birth stories and super helpful resources always amaze me.
Bottom line: if you think you need help adjusting to a newborn, especially after you've given birth, don't hesitate to contact a doula – it may be well worth it.
Check out this Q&A I conducted with Nici – you'll be surprised to learn the exact role of a doula, how to find the perfect one, and where you can save money here.
Q. What do you do as a doula?
Q. How do you go about finding a doula?
A. The best way to find a doula is word of mouth. Ask your friends and family. Another way is to call or approach yoga studios that offer prenatal yoga. Sometimes the instructors are also doulas or they can refer you to someone. There are also websites such as DoulaMatch that are available.
Q. What qualities should your doula already have?
A. No one actually needs to take any courses to call themselves a doula. However, there are a few very well established doula trainings such as DONA (where I did my training) and CAPPA.
Q. What do you do as a doula?
A. As a doula, I offer care during the prenatal period, the birth and the postnatal period. I support as a non-medical role and offer alternative relaxation and pain reduction methods. I assist families in establishing birth preferences and offer informational support and refer families to support that are not within my scope of practice. Another very important part of my job is to empower woman so that they feel comfortable to ask questions during their labour and make educated decisions.
Q. How do you help parents pre- and post-pregnancy?
A. In the prenatal period, I answer any questions that the family may have about labor and birth. We develop birth preferences together (aka a birth plan) and we discuss how to make their preferences possible. During this time, we also build our relationship by getting to know each other better and doing things like massage, belly henna, etc.
During the postpartum period, we talk about the birth and sometimes develop a birth story together. I assist with breast-feeding techniques and pretty much anything that the moms needs (even if it's doing the laundry or hanging out with the baby so that mom can shower or go for a walk).
A. The best way to find a doula is word of mouth. Ask your friends and family. Another way is to call or approach yoga studios that offer prenatal yoga. Sometimes the instructors are also doulas or they can refer you to someone. There are also websites such as DoulaMatch that are available.
A. No one actually needs to take any courses to call themselves a doula. However, there are a few very well established doula trainings such as DONA (where I did my training) and CAPPA.
As far as choosing your doula, you should pick someone whom you feel like you click with. Someone who is on the same level as you when it comes to your birth preferences, and someone who is at a price point you can afford. I always suggest for families to interview a few doulas to make sure they feel confident in their decision.
Q. Do insurance companies cover doula services?
Some do. Some insurance companies offer health and wellness packages, which would include a certified doula. You must produce a copy of your doula's certification from a recognized doula training.
Some do. Some insurance companies offer health and wellness packages, which would include a certified doula. You must produce a copy of your doula's certification from a recognized doula training.
If you have more questions about doula services, visit Nici's awesome website here or email Nici. Have you ever used a doula before? If so, what was your experience like? I would love to know your thoughts – please post them below.
