Do I Need a Doula?

In order to determine whether or not you need a doula, you must first understand what a doula is. The Greek for doula means "servant woman, slave" but in our vernacular is a woman who assists another woman in labor. She is not the same as a midwife- who is the prenatal caregiver, baby catcher, and postpartum caregiver to a pregnant woman. A midwife's role is similar to the care given by an obstetrician, but she is an expert in normal, low-risk pregnancy and birth and encourages normal, low-risk birth experiences either at home, in a birthing center, or in a hospital.

To figure out your need for a doula, there are some things you should discuss with your spouse or partner. First, are you trying to achieve specific goals in your childbirth experience? For example, trying to avoid induction, trying to have a natural childbirth, trying to avoid c-section or epidural. Or are you planning on going in to the hospital and doing what you are told? If you are planning on doing something other than what 95% of other women do, which is follow hospital/doctor protocol, then you may benefit from having a doula- preferably one who has worked with your particular doctor or hospital before.

Second, are you and your husband prepared for childbirth? Taking a comprehensive childbirth education class, like The Bradley Method, completely prepares the husband/partner to act as a coach during pregnancy and labor. If you, as a couple, are choosing to give birth at a birth center or in your home, you will have less of a need for a doula than if you are giving birth in a hospital setting. A doula may be beneficial as an assistant coach in the hospital and can advocate for the laboring couple, answer questions, and assist the husband/partner (taking over if he needs to rest, go to the restroom, grab a bite to eat.)

If your husband/partner is not willing to be an active participant in the labor process, then is it essential that you hire a doula to help you. The Hawthorne Effect was discovered in industrial engineering and showed the when people are watched while doing a job, they do their job much more efficiently and with higher quality. The laboring woman, assisted by either coach or doula, will progress better and labor more efficiently than a woman left to labor alone.

When choosing a doula, you should find a personality that fits yours. Do you need someone to take control? Do you need a gentle supporter and cheerleader? Do you need someone who gives great massages? Do you need an advocate? Interviewing doulas is important, and you want to develop a good rapport with the woman you choose. Some people prefer to have a woman who is certified through an accredited agency, like DONA, and some people just want a woman who has lots of experience, whether certified or not. Just like an other profession, there are many doulas out there and you should be able to find one who fits your needs.

Prices for doulas range just like any other profession. You may be able to find a woman who is trying to get her certification who will be your doula at no charge. And then you may find a doula whose services are upwards of $500-$1000. You must remember that these services are rendered regardless of the time spent in labor. If you have a quick birth, you may have paid $100 per hour. But if you labor is average (15-17 hours), you have a very effective means of help that is essentially very affordable. Given the amount of work that your doula will do and the amount of time she will spend with you, I would definitely recommend interviewing and hiring one, especially if you are having your baby in a hospital. Just like a childbirth education class, it doesn't matter how much you have to spend if you get the birth experience that you want and avoid unwanted or unnecessary interventions or procedures. Those interventions and procedures will cost you in the long run.