Frequently Asked Questions about Doulas

My husband wants to be my labor coach. He is afraid that hiring a doula will keep him from participating fully in our birth. Is this true?

A doula is as much a support to the father as she is to the mother. A doula gives the couple a familiar person to help them through, often providing security and answers that they need to feel comfortable throughout the process of their baby's birth. She enables the father by reassuring him, and he often feels more comfortable supporting the mom with someone to give him an idea of what he can do to support the mother. For more information on how dads and doulas work together, read Do Doulas Replace Dads?

Won't my labor nurses be there to help me through labor? What will a doula do that a nurse cannot?

A doula does not perform any clinical skills (like checking your cervix), but she has others to offer. Nurses are very busy and under normal circumstances cannot stay with you to offer you labor support. They often have other women to care for and usually cannot stay with you for long lengths of time. There will probably be shift changes during the course of your labor and your nurse will also have paperwork and charting to do which will take her away from doing hands-on support. In fact, studies show that registered OB nurses working in hospitals are able to devote only 15 minutes of each 8-hour shift to labor support.

In contrast, you will have the opportunity to develop a relationship with the doula you select over the weeks or months before your birth. You will be able to interview her and know she is trained and knowledgeable in hands-on support. Your doula will take the time to get to know you and what you are hoping for. She will know your wishes and help you in specific ways to meet those. She will be at your side throughout the duration of your labor as well as postpartum. You will be able to call her if you have questions before or after your birth. Nurses and doulas are important and separate roles of the birth team.

Do I need a doula if I am planning a home birth?

Yes! Midwives are also very busy with the clinical aspects of labor, and although they provide wonderful emotional support, occasionally they have other women to support and either cannot come until active labor or later, or they may have to leave intermittently throughout your labor. A doula can come whenever you feel that you need support, even if it is early labor. A doula can help you settle into your contractions, make sure you are well nourished and comfortable, and talk with you about any fears, concerns, or reassure you. Even when planning a home birth, labor support can be an important aspect of your experience.

My doctor/midwife/neighbor says doulas are only for natural birth and will keep me from getting medication if I want it. Is that true?

Doulas are not just about natural birth! A lot of people think this, mostly because they don't know much about doulas or have not worked much with doulas. Doulas are knowledgeable about comfort measures for labor; as a consequence their clients often have to use less medications because they are more comfortable in labor. Doulas are also knowledgeable about medications in labor, including minimizing side effects and risks. A doula can help you use whatever measures you need to have a good birth while giving you the information you need to help you decide what you want. A doula can help you use medications to your best advantage, as well as inform you of the risks, benefits, side effects and likely outcomes. Because doulas are there to support you and help you get what you want, they are going to support your decisions, whether it is to squat to birth your baby or have an epidural, or both. Doulas recognize that the parents are the ones responsible for making decisions in labor. It is the doulas responsibility to help them get the information they need to do so and to support the parents in their decision.

How can a doula still help me if I decide to get an epidural?

A doula is still very beneficial if you plan on having an epidural. You may not be able to get one when you feel the need for it, either because the anesthesiologist is busy or you are too early in labor. Most of the time, there is some wait between the times you want one and when it starts to provide relief, and a doula can help you get through that. After you have an epidural, you may still have discomfort that a doula can help relieve since not all epidurals work completely. Your doula will have suggestions to minimize any breakthrough pain and positions to help your labor progress. You may need to prepare for how to push the baby out if you cannot feel the sensation of your contractions, or if you do not get the urge to push. Preparing for such things with your doula you can help prevent more interventions such as episiotomy, vacuum or forceps extraction, or a cesarean section.

Also see: If I Have an Epidural, Why Do I Need a Doula?

How much will it cost to hire a doula?

In our area, most doulas charge between $350 and $650, depending on their experience and services. Around the nation, many insurance companies are reimbursing the cost of your doula, recognizing that the cost of a doula is small compared to the amount of money they save on interventions having a doula might prevent. For a list of insurance companies that have reimbursed for doula services click here. If your insurance company isn’t on the list, try anyway.

The cost of a doula is usually only a small part of the costs associated with having a new baby, and can be paid for by friends and family. Some doulas operate on a sliding scale, so that people who earn less money can pay less for their doula, and some doulas volunteer their services through hospitals or programs locally. Additionally, many doulas will barter for services or goods, and most will set up a payment plan.

Where can I get more information on doulas in general or becoming a doula?

You can call a local doula or childbirth instructor to get more information on doulas. You can find information in books such as The Doula by Drs. Kennel and Klaus, The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer, The Birth Book by Dr. Bill and Martha Sears and many other childbirth preparation books. Online, information can be found by simply using a search engine, or by going to www.dona.org, www.childbirthprofessional.com, www.doulanetwork.com, or www.doulaworld.com.