Common Questions & Myths About Doula Care

Myth #1: Doulas are only for “hippies” having a home birth, and are anti-pain medication

The truth is having a doula is for everyone, and we follow you where ever you want to give birth. Whether it’s in your home, a birthing center, or a hospital, I go where you go. Heck, if you want to birth on the top of a mountain in a bathtub, I’m there (although I don’t recommend this for safety & logistical reasons). As far as pain medication is concerned, you do you, boo. Yes, research shows that having the continuous support of a doula can decrease the use of pain medication and administration of epidurals, so if your goal is to have an unmediated birth I can definitely help you get there. BUT that is your decision. What I will do is inform you on your pain management options, and answer any questions you have. I love this article on the topic by Robin Elise Weiss, PhD: Why You Should Have a Doula If You Want An Epidural. My job is to support you in whatever choices you make. And yes, there are some super ‘crunchy’ doulas out there, which is wonderful because we need diversity in care options! Personally, I believe in balance, or as I call it: a healthy blend of science and soul.

Myth #2: A doula delivers the baby.

That’s going to be a hard no from me. I am always shocked at how common this misconception is. First of all, a doula is a non-medical care provider. We offer so much, but for good reason we most definitely do not catch your baby, and should not be making medical diagnosis’s or treatments, that is between you and your doctor or midwife. However, because we bring experience and knowledge to the table and are intuitive and observant we can make suggestions about seeking treatment if necessary (for example, you mention you’re getting headaches and we notice excessive swelling….maybe it’s time to call the doc) and offer non-medical care options and a holistic approach to wellness. We work in tandem, with your medical providers as an important part of your birth team. This article is great for clarification between the roles between doctors, midwives, and doulas.

Myth #3: Doulas replace a partners/dads role in the birth.

You’ve got an awesome, excited, and supportive partner for your birth…so why would you need a doula? For starters, because they deserve to be supported too! While the birthing person may be doing most of the hard labor (get it? hard labor!) being a partner to a birthing person brings its own physical and emotional challenges, and as doulas we are here to encourage and support, never replace, this sacred role. Here are just a few of the reasons a doula is equally beneficial for partners:

• allows partner to remain present and focus solely on the birthing person, while we focus on you both and handle extraneous issues

• allows the partner breaks without leaving the birthing person alone- labors can be long & everyone needs a bathroom break

• there’s less pressure to be all things at once, doulas help with communication and balance in the birth environment

• partners report they felt increased confidence in their own ability to help the birthing person when a a doula was present

There’s a ton of info out there on the benefits a doula has for the birth partner. For starters, here is a quick fact sheet from DONA on the topic, and an entertaining glimpse into the what was going through the mind of birth partners during labor here.

Myth #4: Doulas dislike doctors and nurses, and vice versa.

For me, as well as most doulas, this could not be farther from the truth. I consider doctors and nurses invaluable allies and teammates on your journey. I also believe birth to be a natural process in healthy individuals, and feel that care should reflect that. After all, your pregnant, not sick. Most importantly, doulas experience first hand how hardworking the majority of doctors and nurses are, and hold the upmost respect for their (sometimes lifesaving!) abilities and critical role as medical providers. But because we have seen how demanding their positions can be, we can acknowledge that it can be difficult to provide the continuity-of-care and the continuous support that research has shown leads to positive birth outcomes, as stated in the Cochrane Review:

“ [outcomes] are significantly stronger when the support person is not a member of the hospital staff….divided loyalties, additional duties beyond labour support, self-selection, and the constraints of institutional policies and routine practices may have all played a role.” (Hodnett, Gates, Hofmeyr & Sakala, 2008 p. 10)

Doulas recognize the barriers that doctors and nurses face in an effort to provide this type of care, and aim to fill the gap by being continually physically and emotionally present in your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience while providing individualized care. We also acknowledge that there are rare instances of medical providers participating in unethical care and abusing the authority of their position, and will advocate in these instances if necessary. However, a doula should never bring her preexisting personal opinions or experiences into your birth, but remain neutral and focused solely on you.

As far as doctors and nurses are concerned, the majority welcome and encourage the support of a doula. Check out a few doctors unique perspectives on doulas, here.