When my clients tell their families and friends that they’ll have a doula at their birth, the usual response is: “What is a Doula? What do they do?”

I am here to give you some more insights on what doulas are and what we do to help our clients throughout pregnancy, childbirth and immediately after. 

A doula, also known as a birth companion, birth coach or post-birth supporter, is a non-medical companion who supports a birthing person by providing continuous care before, during, or after childbirth in the form of information, physical support, and emotional support.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HIRING A DOULA?

• Decrease in the risk of Cesarean; the largest effect was seen with a doula.
• Increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth; the largest effect was seen with a doula.
• Decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief; the type of person providing continuous support did not make a difference.
• Shorter labors by 41 minutes on average; there is no data on if the type of person providing continuous support makes a difference
• Decrease in the baby’s risk of a low five minute Apgar score; there is no data on if the type of person providing continuous support makes a difference
• Decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience; mothers’ risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience was reduced with continuous support provided by a doula or someone in their social network (family or friend), but not hospital staff

WHO HIRES A DOULA?

In a 2012 survey that took place in the U.S., 6% of birthing people said they used a doula during childbirth (Declerq et al., 2013), up from 3% in a 2006 national survey (Declerq et al., 2007). Of those people who did not have a doula but understood what they were, 27% would have liked to have a doula. 

For more information on this research, visit evidencebasedbirth.com 

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN DOULA SUPPORT?

Doulas are not medical professionals, and the following tasks are not performed by doulas:

• They do not perform clinical tasks such as vaginal exams or fetal heart monitoring
• They do not give medical advice or diagnose conditions
• They do not make decisions for the client (medical or otherwise)
• They do not pressure the birthing person into certain choices just because that’s what they prefer
• They do not take over the role of the partner
• They do not catch the baby
• They do not change shifts (although some doulas may call in their back-up after 12-24 hours)

Now that you have an idea what a doula does, allow me to introduce the program I offer to my clients. Most birth doulas have similar programs that can vary with additional skills the doula might have such as extra certifications and knowledge. 

Step 1: Consultation

I offer free consultations to my clients that are usually held via Zoom meetings. That way my clients are comfortable on their own couch and these online meetings are usually easy to schedule. I introduce myself to my clients and we talk about their wishes for birth and what is most important to them during their birthing process. Here are a few questions I get asked during these interviews: 

1. How many births have you attended? 
2. What kind of training have you attended?
3. Are you a certified doula?
4. What organization have you certified with?
5. What is your philosophy about birth?
6. What kind of things do you do during our labor?
7. What can we expect from you?
8. How can you help me with pain management?
9. What do you bring to the place of birth?
10. How much do you charge for your services?
11. What is all included in your package?
12. How would you describe your doula style?
13. Do you have a backup doula in case you can’t make it to my birth?
14. How many visits do you offer with your package?
15. Do you offer any postpartum services? 
16. When will you join me in labor?
17. Do you offer any additional services, such as placenta encapsulation?
18. Do you have experience with breastfeeding instructions?

Step 2: Informational Email with reading material to my potential clients

The next step for this doula is to send an informational email with my client in-take form where I ask for more information from my clients as well as their dreams and expectations for birth. I also include an article that talks about partners and doulas as well as my doula contract. I want my clients to have time to read all my materials through and discuss and think about it before they make a decision. I also usually encourage my clients to interview other doulas in their area to make sure they find someone that is really right for them. 

Step 3: When my clients decide they want to work with me… 

…they send back the signed contract, filled out client intake form as well as 50% of my fee. As soon as I receive those three things, I put my on-call time (two weeks before their EDD) on my calendar and we arrange our two prenatal appointments. 

From this moment on I am available to my clients via phone and text support. Whatever they’ll need, I am here. 

If you want to read more about my program offerings, please check back for Part 2 of this blog that will be posted soon. 

Are you interested in a first consultation to see if we are a good fit?

Call or text me today at 219-309-3831 and reserve your due date now. 

I am looking forward to hearing from you!

Much love, 

Your Doula, Sabine