The Birth Guru

What exactly is a doula and why would you need one?

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Imagine yourself in a sterile hospital room, lying on a cold hospital bed while medical staff buzz around you like worker bees. They are here just for you and your arriving baby today, but even with that knowledge you still feel a twinge of fear and insecurity. Though your spouse is by your side showing support, he’s just as bewildered as you are and that’s not very comforting. At your most vulnerable, what you really need is an island of calm amid the storm; someone who’s been through this and can give you a warm smile or a reassuring squeeze of the hand. Someone you will trust when they say, “It’s all going to be fine”. That someone could be your very own doula.

Your Birthing BFF

A doula (say doo-lah) is a professionally-trained birth companion that supports the mother-to-be physically and emotionally during labour. Before you start picturing incense, healing crystals, and candles, doulas define themselves as consultants, educators or coaches that are trained in the art of birth support. Most importantly, a doula’s main goal is to support mothers in their decisions and ensure they get the birth they desire.

However, unlike your OB-GYN or midwife, they aren’t medical professionals, clarifies Sofie Jacobs, founder and head midwife at Urban Hatch. “Doulas are trained birth professionals who provide emotional and physical but not medical support,” she says. “There are very few hospitals at the moment that employ doulas, so they are usually hired privately.”

But don’t discount doulas for their lack of medical training. Sofie shares that couples rarely get the same hospital-employed midwife throughout the process, which can cause some anxiety. “Having a doula by your side can be invaluable to get that continuity of support by someone you already know and trust,” says Sofie.