Hiring a doula
What does a birth doula do? (And what we don't do)
The physical, emotional, and informational role of a birth doula, and the clear lines doulas don't cross when it comes to clinical care.
A birth doula gives you continuous physical, emotional, and informational support. Here’s what that includes, and where the role stops.
What a birth doula does
- Prenatal preparation: meeting before birth to build your birth preferences, practice comfort positions, and answer non-medical questions.
- Continuous labor support: massage, counterpressure, rebozo techniques, breathing guidance, and position changes during active labor.
- Emotional encouragement: a calm, reassuring presence for both you and your partner.
- Partner support: showing your partner how to give hands-on comfort without feeling overwhelmed.
- Informational support: helping you find evidence-based information so you can make informed choices with your medical team.
What a birth doula doesn’t do
- Clinical tasks: doulas don’t take blood pressure, do cervical checks, check the baby’s heart rate, or manage medical emergencies.
- Decide for you: doulas don’t speak for you to doctors or nurses. We help you speak up for your own preferences.
- Medical advice: we refer you to your OB-GYN, midwife, or pediatrician for medical guidance.
