The Profound Benefits of Hiring a Doula and Why Every Expecting Family Deserves One

On a cold, winter day I became a mother after laboring completely and utterly alone in a

foreign country.

After my waters broke early in the morning, I checked myself into the hospital despite

experiencing no contractions and only being 1 cm dilated (something I wouldn’t recommend

knowing what I know now!). Due to German hospital policies surrounding COVID, my

husband was not allowed to join me in the hospital until I was 6 cm dilated. While I spoke

some German, my vocabulary did not encompass words pertaining to labor and childbirth,

and no English-speaking midwives were on the floor that morning. Through some broken

communication, the midwife told me she would return in two hours to check on me. Shortly

after she left, labor began with a vengeance, and I spent the next two hours confused and

scared at the intensity and pace of my labor as I moved and breathed my way through

contractions. As promised, the midwife returned after two hours and with a surprised look on

her face told me to call my husband to join us as I was already 8 cm dilated. My husband

rushed to the hospital and joined me as I was pushing. Relief set in when our healthy baby

boy was born after just 4 hours of labor, but the ripples of such a jarring labor experience

colored my postpartum experience for months and left me feeling anxious, scared, and

confused – the same feelings that consumed me during labor.

Two years later, in stark contrast to my first birth experience, I learned what it meant to

experience continuous labor and delivery support during the birth of my daughter, and gained a deeper understanding of what a profound difference this kind of support can make – not just in birth, but also postpartum.

Sociologist Barbara Kaz Rothman once said, "Birth is not only about making babies; birth is about making mothers - strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength." Pregnancy, labor, and childbirth is undoubtedly one of the most life-changing experiences a person can go through. While each birth is deeply personal and unique, one thing is universal: the need for support. That is where a doula comes in, and that is what drives me in my work as a birth doula.

So, what is a doula?

Doulas provide continuous physical, emotional, informational, and advocacy support during

pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. Although not medical professionals, a doula’s role in

enhancing the birth experience is backed by data and cannot be overstated. The presence of a doula during birth is linked to:

·         Shorter labor times by an average of 40 minutes

·         Lower rates of c-sections by 23%

·         A reduction in the use of pain medications (including epidurals)

·         Fewer complications for both mother and baby

So what exactly does a doula do to support you?

While working with a doula, families can expect compassionate and informed support every

step of the way. One of the most empowering aspects of hiring a doula is helping families

prepare for birth. Knowledge is power, and doulas can help expecting parents navigate the

sometimes-overwhelming world of birth plans and preferences by providing evidence-based

information on all the options available, and helping to devise a plan that meets their needs

and desires.  Before going into labor, families can expect basic childbirth education,

information on labor and pushing positions, pain management, breathing techniques,

massage techniques, and more.

During labor, your doula provides reassurance, encouragement, and comfort to help you feel

more confident and calm throughout labor. Physically, doulas also assist with pain

management techniques such as breathing exercises, massage, and different labor positions

to help ease the pains of labor and help make your contractions as productive as they can be.

More than that, doulas are also advocates. During labor, it can sometimes be difficult to

understand and comprehend all your options, and a doula can help you ask the right

questions and understand all the benefits, risks, and alternatives of the options available to

you so you can make the right decision for you and your baby. While no birth goes exactly as

planned, a doula can help ensure you understand your options and that your wishes are

heard and respected in moments of uncertainty.

In a world where birth can sometimes feel medicalized or impersonal, hiring a doula can be a

powerful reminder that birth is not just a physical process—it’s an emotional and mental

journey.

The support of a doula enhances the entire experience, giving you a foundation of

reassurance and comfort in what can otherwise be an uncertain time.

The benefits are clear: better birth outcomes, lower stress, more informed choices, and a

stronger emotional connection to the experience. But perhaps the greatest benefit of all is the sense of empowerment that comes with knowing you have a dedicated ally by your

side—someone who will help remind you that you are strong and capable, and who will

ensure that your birth is not just a medical event, but a deeply human experience.

So, if you’re expecting, consider the impact a doula could have on your journey. The

emotional, physical, and even medical benefits speak for themselves, but ultimately, it’s about feeling supported, listened to, and cared for during one of the most transformative

experiences of your life.