Do I Really Need a Doula?

If you’re going to have a baby, you need a doula in your life. Ok, is it a need need, or a want need? It’s an if you can possibly afford it need, so start looking for a great one immediately.

Now, I have to give full disclosure here: I’m a doula. I’m also a nurse. I have attended birthing women on both sides of the stirrups, so I have some real insight here.  Believe me when I say, a doula can make the difference between a good birth experience and a great one. Whenever I hear people say, “Whatever happens happens. All that matters is a healthy baby” I cringe. Because that’s not all that matters. A woman’s birth experience is crucial to her emotional health as a mom.

Sound dramatic? Talk to any woman who suffers from birth trauma or even generalized regret about her big day. She will tell you how much it really does matter.

But women have been having babies for centuries without a doula.

Yup, they have. They also gave birth at home until about 60 years or so ago, surrounded by women for emotional and physical support. And while some women still make the choice to have their babies at home, a lot of them hire doulas. Because whether you have your baby at home or in a hospital bed, you’re going to be hard-pressed to find anybody to stay with you 24/7. That’s what doulas do. We never leave you alone (unless you want us to).

But I’m planning on having an epidural.

You have to be in active labour before you can have an epidural. The longest part of your labour is probably going to be the stage before your body hits a rhythm of regular contractions. Sometimes this stage can last for a couple of days, so it’s nice to have a doula to help you stay calm, rested and comfortable before the big event.

But my husband/partner is going to be there.

Look, I know how much you love your other-half, but there’s a good chance that they aren’t going to know what positions you need to try when you have back labour or contractions one on top of the other. They are going to get tired. They are going to say the wrong thing and piss you off. They may not understand what the doctor or nurse is saying to you, either. A doula will provide you with physical, emotional and educational support so you can both understand and make decisions that are best for you.

But I’m having a scheduled caesarean birth.

Sometimes, women who are having a caesarean need more emotional support before their birth because-let’s face it- surgery can be scary. And your friend’s friend who claims that she put on her makeup and jumped out of bed 3 hours after her caesarean? She’s either a liar or a freak of nature. Recovery is hard and you're now looking after a baby. Doulas provide so much emotional and physical support after the baby arrives , while you’re in the hospital and at home. Also, breastfeeding after a caesarean birth can be quite tricky, especially in the first 2 or 3 days and a doula can help you with that too.

But I will have a nurse with me.

Depending on what stage of labour you’re in, your nurse may have more than just one patient. And she has a lot of paperwork, assessments and charting to do. I’m not saying that you won’t see her, but she’s probably not going to suggest that you go find a set of stairs to try and get your baby repositioned, or use a Rebozo on you. The reality is that the nurse is there to ensure that mom and baby are healthy during labour and if anything looks off, she’s reporting to the doctor.

But I will have a midwife attend my birth.

Midwives are fantastic and they really try to let labour and birth unfold organically. They usually come after contractions are regular and as we know, that can take a long time. A doula can be with you from the beginning and stay with you until you deliver. Midwives have paperwork and charting and monitoring to deal with also, so you can’t have their undivided attention all the time. A lot of women who use a midwife will still hire a doula. They generally work very well together, supporting the labouring mom.

But they are too expensive.

Depending on where you live, doulas can range in price from $600-$2000 to attend your birth. This price may reflect a doula’s experience as well. So, yes, it costs money. But it has been clinically proven that having a doula at your birth can reduce your chances of having a caesarean and postpartum depression. And they can help make your birth experience empowering, which means you’ll feel empowered as a mom too.

And, seriously- how much is that stroller you were looking at buying? You’ll get more for your money with a doula.

Giving birth without a doula is like climbing Machu Picchu without a sherpa. You could probably get to the summit alone; but you may have taken the long, complicated way and you’re exhausted and maybe even injured by the time you get there.

Birth is like climbing a mountain. Let a doula help you get to the top.

For more information on finding a doula in Ontario, check out:  The Association of Ontario Doulas

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