Becoming a parent transforms your life in ways you would have never imagined. The journey from conception to birth brings along many changes, and while the doctors and nurses are there to address the medical side of your pregnancy and childbirth, the emotional and physical aspects often remain overlooked. Parents who are looking for such support can consider hiring a birth doula. Reading this blog will help you understand more about birth doulas, what they do, and where to find one. 

For many parents, the concept may be new or something they haven’t heard of before, so it is important that we start with a basic understanding. 

Who Is A Birth Doula?

A birth doula is a non-medical professional trained to offer emotional and physical support to expecting parents during pregnancy and at the time of childbirth. They also focus on empowering parents with informational support. 

Many people confuse birth doulas with midwives; however, the role is completely different. They are more like companions and are not concerned with the medical tasks, but rather solely with improving and optimising the birthing experience. They bring positivity, advocate for comfort, share knowledge, and empower parents with confidence.

The concept of birth doulas originated in ancient Greece, and it refers to ‘a woman who serves’. As time passed, the role evolved and is now backed by evidence-based research. It has started gaining a lot of recognition in India lately, and many even consider it an essential part of holistic birth support.

How Can A Birth Doula Help You?

The role of a birth doula can start during pregnancy and can continue into the postpartum period. Their aim is to make the whole process hassle-free, so it’s not just about birthing, but also what leads to it and what follows.

During The Course Of Pregnancy:

The key responsibilities of a doula during the course of your pregnancy are:

1. To help you understand the various birth options available, elaborate on the risks and benefits of each.

2. To help you create a personalized birth plan based on various factors involved in their pregnancy.

3. To offer reliable and evidence-backed information related to childbirth, which includes the procedure, pain, control measures, and techniques used.

4. To offer techniques for relaxation, such as breathing exercises and comfortable positions based on a personalized approach. 

5. To offer emotional support and reassurance to the parents to help them fight anxiety and stress as the delivery date comes closer.

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During Labour & Childbirth

This is the most crucial aspect of the pregnancy, and that’s why the role of a doula becomes somewhat intense at this point. Her key responsibilities are.

1. To continuously stay by the mother's side and offer all the support she needs at this crucial time by encouraging and motivating her.

2. To suggest movements, positions, and relaxation techniques to ensure maximum comfort for the mother to ease labour pain.

3. To offer physical comfort using safe and proven techniques like gentle massages and counter pressure. 

4. To advocate for the mother’s comfort by serving as a bridge between her and the medical team and ensuring her voice is heard. 

5. To offer support to the partner by addressing their doubts and queries with positivity and confidence to make the process stress-free and worth remembering. 

After Childbirth

After birth, the responsibilities of a birth doula are not extensive; however, they are still quite important. These include: 

1. To help the parents initiate skin-to-skin contact with the baby for deep emotional bonding.

2. To help with breastfeeding and problems related to latching by offering proper guidance. 

3. To provide emotional reassurance to the mother and the father in the early hours following the child's birth.  

4. To help the parents and families by referring them to lactation consultants, counsellors, or any other specialists if needed. 

Things That Are Beyond A Birth Doula’s Responsibilities

The role of a birth doula is limited to non-medical aspects only. If you’re hiring one for your pregnancy or childbirth, you need to keep in mind that 

1. They are not qualified to, and cannot perform any medical examination, such as a cervical exam or monitoring fetal heartbeats.

2. They cannot give you any medical advice related to medication or procedures, and neither can they diagnose any condition.

3. They cannot make any medical decisions for the mother or the baby on behalf of the parents.

4. They cannot force or pressurise parents to choose any particular procedure or treatment.

The Benefits Of Having A Birth Doula

According to the American Pregnancy Association, there are numerous benefits of having a birth doula present at the time of birth. Some of the documented benefits are listed below:

1. Women accompanied by a birth doula were found to have lower dependence on pain medication when in labour and during the birthing process.

2. The presence of birth doulas has been associated with decreased likelihood of Caesarean and increased likelihood of a positive birthing experience. An NIH Study suggests that “Women with doula support have lower odds of non-indicated cesareans than those who did not have a doula, as well as those who desired but did not have doula support.”

3. Presence of birth doulas has been found to be associated with shorter labour duration and higher levels of satisfaction with the birthing process. This also plays a key role in lowering the risks of postpartum depression as mothers feel heard, supported, and empowered.  

Do Indian Hospitals Allow Birth Doulas?

Whether you will be allowed to have a doula with you or not solely depends on the hospital and the doctor. For instance, there are still many hospitals that do not allow spouses in the labour/delivery room, despite it being a common practice in numerous countries around the world. The same goes for birth doulas. 

So, the best thing to do is to talk to your doctor and plan ahead. If you cannot compromise on having a doula, then you might need to choose a hospital that allows one. It may require a little research, though. 

Finding A Birth Doula In India

Since the concept of a birth doula is new to India, finding one may not be easy. The presence is gradually growing in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad. 

You can connect with the Doula India network, where you can find certified doulas across the country, or enquire at your maternity Hospital if they offer the service. 

You can also try connecting with fellow parents who have hired doulas during their pregnancies. After all, nothing beats word of mouth. 

A birth doula’s aim is to empower parents by supporting them via non-medical means. If you wish to hire a birth doula, you should ideally start looking soon after you get the good news, as it may take some time to find one.