When I became pregnant at 37 I was old enough to know that I had a few options - home birth, hospital birth, and various approaches of the Ob / Gyn’s I had seen over the years - but I knew very little about the culture around birth in the US. So like any good filmmaker, I dove head first into research. I picked up the books What to Expect When you’re Expecting and Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. Wow, it was like drinking water out of a fire hose. There were so many new words to add to my vocabulary - midwives, pelvic floors, placentas. I was surprised by the slope of this learning curve. I had so many new questions, primarily “Why did the approaches of these two books feel so different? “

One of the terms I kept coming across was doula. It wasn’t something I had considered before, hadn’t even really known what they were, but decided to look into it. Little did I know, a few short years later, I would become a doula and change the direction of my life forever.

So, what exactly is a doula?

DONA International, the world’s largest doula certifying organization, defines a doula as;

A trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a mother before, during and shortly after childbirth to help her achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.

Throughout our history, women have supported each other during the birthing process. The word doula is derived from Greek, meaning “women’s servant.” I don’t like to think of a doula as a servant, but more of a guide and a support system. We don’t all live in tight-knit villages anymore, where we witness birth and newborns on a regular basis. Often, birth is hidden away at the hospital with only two support persons allowed in the delivery room with the birthing person at a time. We’ve strayed a lot from our village past, and I like to think of a doula as a link back to that time, when birthing was shared inside of communities. Where we relied on each other to support birthing people as they enter into this life-altering change and come through the other side.

Sounds pretty great, right? But what does that really mean? For me, a doula is a way to make sure your voice is heard during one of your most vulnerable moments. We work together leading up to the birth so that I know your preferences, your fears, and what makes you feel empowered, so that when the birth happens we can work with your care providers to ensure you feel safe and supported.

What does a doula do?

There’s a broad range of support doulas offer, not just for the pregnant person but for the whole family.

Before labor begins, a doula...

is available leading up to your birth to answer any questions you may have about the pregnancy, birth, or preparing for post-delivery
can offer recommendations and referrals to care providers, acupuncturists, massage therapists, support groups, etc.
can be a great resource for understanding procedures and other interventions that may be recommended, and can offer counseling and advice (it’s important to note doulas are not medical professionals, but they do have a lot of experience around birth and labor and can offer perspectives on different types of situations).

**During labor a doula...**

is near the laboring person to provide emotional and physical support
can offer pain management like counter-pressure, relaxation techniques, massage, and breathing techniques
encourages partner support and involvement -- it’s often hard to remember what you learned in a birthing class in the middle of labor -- a doula can help you and your partner recall techniques that might not come to mind immediately
can help a family advocate for themselves, whether they are hoping for an unmedicated birth or having a cesarean, a doula can recall the family’s birth preferences and help them try to get as close to those desires as possible

**Immediately postpartum a doula…**

can assist with breastfeeding
encourages bonding between the new baby and family members
offers emotional support if the birth was not what the family had hoped or planned for

Postpartum doulas often make house-calls and can help out in a number of ways including…

helping with feeding the baby whether it’s breastfeeding support, advice on pumping, or cleaning bottles
household help like laundry, tidying up, or cooking a meal for the family
helping with newborn care; bathing, swaddling, baby wearing, etc.
giving parents a break - watching baby so you can take a much-needed nap!
offering emotional support or just someone to chat with

Sound like something you’re interested in? Don’t just take my word for how amazing doula support can be. Studies also show having a doula leads to a more satisfying birth experience.

I came to birth work as a photographer, but in those intimate moments I felt compelled to offer support beyond documentation. So much so that I dove in, took a few trainings in full spectrum and postpartum doula support. It’s the most important, life-changing time, and feeling heard, empowered, and comfortable is key to enjoying the crazy blur that is bringing a new baby into the world.

Why do it alone when you can have the village?

Images above feature doula support from Erica Simpson (The Happy Baby NYC) and Janine Haines Colon. They’re both excellent doulas and inspirations in my journey to becoming one, too!

What's a Doula?