What is a Doula?

   For hundreds of years, doulas have served women from pregnancy through childbirth and the early stages of motherhood. During these times women need reassurance and information. They also need support, both physical, emotional, and spiritual. They need the type of insight and advice that only another woman can provide. A doula is a person who assists a mother through labor and delivery by providing support and information. A doula acts as an advocate for mothers and empowers them to take control of the birthing process. A doula provides all this and more, with traits such as empathy, compassion, strength, understanding, and empowerment.

   A birth doula is a non-medical labor assistant whose role is to comfort and support the mother and her partner during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
 

Benefits of having a Doula 

• Attend doctor’s appointments with you.

• Birth doulas can also provide a comforting touch by giving massages, and applying counter pressure.

•  Leading breathing techniques and other comforting touches to help you relax.

• When a doula can provide physical support to a mother, they can often help a baby that is mispositioned find their way through the pelvis and into their mother’s waiting arms.

• Information about what's happening during labor and the postpartum period, including explanations of procedures.

• Help with facilitating communication between you and the hospital staff.

• Guidance and support for loved ones.

• Assistance with breastfeeding.

• A doula's 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

• A decreased incidence of C-sections

• A decrease in the length of labor

• A decrease in negative childbirth experiences

• It’s also nice to have someone who can help create a space for the family to relax, especially when emotions and hormones are running high. Whether you are having a natural birth or are using medication to help with the pain, everyone can benefit from additional emotional support from a nurturing and empowering source. 

• Most doula-client relationships begin a few months before the baby is due. During this period, they develop a relationship in which the mother feels free to ask questions, express her fears and concerns, and take an active role in creating a birth plan. Doulas may provide information about perineal massage and other techniques that can help to reduce stress and trauma often experienced during childbirth.

• Most doulas make themselves available to the mother by phone to respond to her questions or address any concerns that might arise during the pregnancy. Understand doulas do not provide any type of medical care. However, they are knowledgeable about many medical aspects of labor and delivery. As such, they can help their clients gain a better understanding of the procedures and possible complications in late pregnancy or delivery.

• During delivery, doulas are in constant and close contact with the mother. They can provide comfort with pain-relief techniques including breathing techniques, relaxation techniques, massage, and laboring positions. Doulas also encourage participation from the partner and offer reassurance.

 

More services a doula offers

• A doula may also act as a mediator and an advocate who's there to run interference with hospital personnel, as well as translate medical terms and explain procedures. 

• Before your due date, your doula will teach you about the process of labor and delivery, with the goal of making it less scary and more comfortable so you’re empowered to take a more active role in your birth.

• A doula can offer a treasure trove of non-medical pain-management techniques including massage, reflexology, aromatherapy, music, and mantras. She'll try different combinations to find the right one for you. You and your doula will also create a birth plan.

• A doula will NOT downgrade your partner or coach to feel like a third wheel. A good doula will never push a co-parent or other coach aside but instead, enhance that support and help them to relax, which in turn will help you relax.

• Doulas usually meet you around your seventh month of pregnancy to discuss a birth plan which will include whether you want a drug-free birth or one with an epidural or other pain management medication, and what labor techniques would work best for you. 

• If you're planning to hire a doula, there is no best start time because you can have a doula as soon as the 1st trimester but if you choose to have one, most mothers start looking around month four or five, so you have enough time to interview candidates and make sure your choice is available around your estimated due date.

 

How much does a doula cost?

   The cost of a doula varies based on where you live, the number of visits you schedule, and the services you’d like to receive (although most usually cover a prenatal visit, labor and delivery, and post-delivery follow-up). You can expect to pay between $400 and $2,500 for your doula, give or take, with doulas costing more in big cities like New York. Some doulas charge by the hour, while others have a flat fee. Here at Aja Divine Healing, we have set up Doula packages with varying price points to try to provide the most comprehensive and cost-effective packages for our moms. We do have some grant-based information available to moms who may qualify which will make your doula services FREE!

   In general, if you’re worried about how to afford a doula, some health insurance providers cover doula care. There are states that currently cover doulas under their Medicaid plans, while others are considering similar legislation. Call your provider and ask for their policies on labor support, childbirth education, and lactation support. Also, ask whether you can use your health care flex spending or health savings accounts (if you have them) to contribute to the cost of a doula.

 

What about a postpartum doula?

   Some doulas are trained to help new parents cope with common post-birth issues related to bathing, diapering, swaddling, sleeping, and breastfeeding. Postpartum doulas are sometimes certified lactation counselors (it is not necessary), so they can help with latching techniques (one of the most common problems post-birth). They’re there to advise you and give you the confidence to take care of your baby (but not to watch over your little one like a nurse or nanny), as well as be on the lookout for signs of postpartum depression.

 

   Whether you choose to go with a birth doula, a postpartum doula or a doula who does it all, having a trained and compassionate birth assistant has many benefits. The continuous, one-on-one care and physical and emotional support for both you and your family can make your pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum experience a lot easier and more enjoyable.

Aja Divine Healing LLC offers all doula services and has proper training and receives continuing education to ensure the best possible care. I care about the overall well-being of the mother and baby and will do my best to ensure a comforting, safe, sacred, and desired birth because all women should be honored in how they choose to birth.

Other services offered by Aja Divine Healing LLC:

• Herbal yoni steams, teas, and baths

• Gifts for mother and baby

• Natural tinctures if needed

• Placenta Encapsulation

• Lotus Birth

• Self-care/Self Love activities for mother before the birth

• Blessed Way (Mom Shower)

• And more………