If you think you might want or need additional support and coaching in the delivery room, a doula could be a good choice for you. And if you have your heart set on a specific birth plan, a doula can be a good option because shell be your advocate if youre having a hard time fighting for yourself.

Do you really need a doula?

Often, however, a doulas most important role is to provide continuous support during labor and delivery. Although research is limited, some studies have shown that continuous support from doulas during childbirth might be associated with: A decreased use of pain relief medication during labor.

Why would a woman want a doula?

Doulas are important to women because their sole purpose is to provide physical, emotional, and informational support during labor and birth without doing anything medical, says Ami Burns, a childbirth educator and doula in Chicago and the founder of Birth Talk (birthtalk.com).

What is the point of a doula?

The doula is a professional trained in childbirth who provides emotional, physical, and educational support to a mother who is expecting, is experiencing labor, or has recently given birth. Their purpose is to help women have a safe, memorable, and empowering birthing experience.

What a doula does and does not do?

” Doulas DO NOT: perform tasks such as blood pressure, fetal heart checks, or vaginal exams. Our role is one of nonintervention and is non-medical. We are there to provide physical comfort, emotional support, and advocacy. Doulas do not make decisions for you.

What is a doula salary?

On average doulas can make $15,000 to $30,000 a year. They can work part-time or as much as they like.