THNP Journal
2025
To Doula or Not to Doula? That is the big question!
1. Emotional and Psychological Support
One of the most significant roles a doula plays in any birth setting is emotional support. Birth can be overwhelming, whether it’s a planned home birth or a hospital setting with more medical interventions. Doulas help to alleviate fear, anxiety, and uncertainty by providing continuous emotional reassurance. They are a constant source of calm in a whirlwind of uncertainty, offering encouragement, and keeping the birthing person grounded.
- In the Hospital: Hospitals can be intimidating environments filled with staff changes, medical equipment, and the hustle and bustle of a busy facility. A doula acts as a familiar, constant presence in the room, guiding the birthing parent through each stage of labor. They ensure that the birthing person's voice is heard, especially when decisions need to be made about medical interventions.
- At Home: Home births are often associated with comfort and a sense of control, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t challenges. A doula can be the steady support needed to reassure a birthing person through the natural ebbs and flows of labor, offering consistent encouragement and comfort techniques. They also provide a calm presence to the partner and family members who may be feeling their own levels of anxiety.
The birth of a baby is a life-changing event, one filled with excitement, emotion, and sometimes uncertainty. Whether you're planning a hospital birth or opting for a home birth, the experience is transformative. However, it can also be intense, unpredictable, and overwhelming at times. This is where a birth doula becomes an invaluable support system for expectant parents.
A doula, trained to provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support throughout pregnancy, labor, and postpartum, can make a world of difference for parents navigating the birthing process. Below, we’ll explore the many ways a birth doula is an essential part of both hospital and home births, offering unparalleled benefits regardless of the setting.
Physical support is another critical role doulas play, particularly in labor. The pain of childbirth can be intense, and doulas are trained in various methods to alleviate discomfort without medical interventions.
- In the Hospital: While hospitals are equipped with pain-relieving medications and other medical interventions, some birthing parents may prefer to avoid or limit their use. Doulas can assist with natural pain management techniques such as breathing exercises, massage, positioning, hot or cold compresses, and laboring in water. Their expertise helps the birthing parent feel empowered to make choices that align with their birth plan.
- At Home: For home births, doulas are integral in creating a safe and comfortable environment, offering hands-on support to manage labor pains. Doulas can guide through different laboring positions, help with relaxation techniques, and provide gentle reminders to the birthing person to stay hydrated or take breaks as needed. Their familiarity with home birth settings can also help the birthing person feel more confident in their surroundings.
A doula is a critical advocate for the birthing person’s needs, especially in a hospital setting where there may be multiple medical professionals involved in the birth. Doulas can help facilitate communication between the birthing person and the healthcare team, ensuring that their wishes and concerns are heard and respected.
- In the Hospital: Hospital births often come with a more formal, structured environment. Doulas help bridge the gap between the medical staff and the birthing parent, explaining medical terms, offering alternative options, and making sure the birthing parent’s questions and wishes are addressed. Doulas are not a replacement for medical staff, but they ensure the birthing parent remains at the center of their own care.
- At Home: Even in a more intimate and relaxed home birth setting, there may be moments when a doula’s advocacy comes into play. Doulas can help guide the birthing process while providing support to the family, and they are well-equipped to help navigate any potential complications or transitions if medical professionals need to be called in for further assistance. They make sure the birth stays aligned with the birthing person’s wishes.
4. Informational Support
Knowledge is power, and one of the key roles of a doula is to offer information about labor, birth processes, and postpartum recovery.
- In the Hospital: Hospitals can present a fast-paced environment, and decisions often need to be made quickly. A doula can help the birthing parent understand their options, ask important questions, and make informed decisions about their care. The doula’s ability to break down medical information and explain what is happening step-by-step is invaluable, especially for parents who may not feel as comfortable in a medical setting.
- At Home: Home births are often associated with comfort and a sense of control, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t challenges. A doula can be the steady support needed to reassure a birthing person through the natural ebbs and flows of labor, offering consistent encouragement and comfort techniques. They also provide a calm presence to the partner and family members who may be feeling their own levels of anxiety.
Postpartum care is an often overlooked part of the birthing process, yet it’s just as essential as the labor itself. Doulas provide support after birth by offering guidance on infant care, breastfeeding, emotional recovery, and physical healing.
- In the Hospital: After giving birth, especially in a hospital setting, the transition can feel overwhelming. A doula can provide immediate emotional support and guidance during the early hours and days of parenthood. Whether it’s offering advice on latching for breastfeeding, helping the birthing parent with recovery, or just offering a listening ear, a doula is a valuable resource in these early days.
- At Home: Postpartum support is equally as crucial in a home birth setting. In the comfort of home, a doula can assist with newborn care, help the birthing person recover physically, and provide emotional support as they adjust to the new addition. Their help can reduce stress and make the transition smoother for the whole family.
Studies show that having a doula present at birth can reduce the likelihood of unnecessary interventions such as epidurals, labor induction, and C-sections. This holds true in both hospital and home birth settings.
- In the Hospital: The presence of a doula can reduce the need for medical interventions by providing natural pain relief techniques, guiding the birthing person in labor positions, and ensuring that their preferences are respected. By staying with the birthing person throughout labor, a doula helps maintain the pace of labor and can support the birthing person in avoiding unnecessary medical procedures.
- At Home: With a doula’s guidance, many home births proceed without complications. Doulas ensure that the birthing person is physically and emotionally supported throughout the process, helping labor to unfold naturally. They are well-prepared to recognize potential issues early and help facilitate safe decisions when medical interventions are necessary.
Conclusion
Having a doula present during labor—whether in a hospital or home birth setting—offers invaluable support, both practical and emotional. Their expertise in physical comfort, emotional reassurance, advocacy, and informed decision-making helps ensure that the birthing process is empowering, safe, and fulfilling. No matter where you choose to give birth, a doula can make a significant difference in the quality of your birth experience, creating an environment where your needs are met and your voice is heard.
Recommended Doulas
Samantha Schneggenburger
with Boundless Birth Services
www.boundlessbirthservices.com
Carolyn Miller
with Grayce Birth Services
Leslie C. Cuffee
with Leslie Cuffee Prossesional
Birth Doula Services
Sydney Hagen
with Untamed Birth
Makensie Hansen
Home Birth Doula
https://www.instagram.com/makenzieehansen/
Akilah White
with Akilah White Birth Services
Jazmine Gates
with Guiding Gates
Doula Services
https://www.guidinggatesdoula.com
Kelly Croften Jernigan
with Brighten Birth
