The Doula Difference: Support That Makes All The Difference

What is a Doula?

Birth Doula

A Birth Doula is your steady guide and advocate throughout pregnancy, labor, and delivery. We provide personalized, continuous support to help you feel confident and empowered. Here’s how we support you:

  • Prenatal Care: During pregnancy, we meet with you to understand your birth preferences, answer questions, and help you prepare emotionally and physically for labor. We’ll discuss comfort techniques, help you create a birth plan, and ensure you feel ready for the big day.

  • Emotional Support: We’re by your side every step of the way, offering reassurance, encouragement, and a calm presence to ease any worries.

  • Physical Comfort: From breathing techniques to massage and labor positions, we provide hands-on comfort measures to support you during labor.

  • Advocacy: We Empower you to make informed decisions, helping you communicate your needs and preferences to you care team.

Postpartum Doula

Postpartum doula is your trusted guide and support system as you adjust to life with a newborn. We help you recover, bond, and thrive during this beautiful but often challenging time. Here’s how we care for you:

  • Emotional Care: We’re here to listen, encourage, and help you process your birth experience. From navigating baby blues to celebrating milestones, we provide a safe space for your feelings.

  • Practical Support: We lighten your load by assisting with newborn care, light household task, and establishing a milk stash or pumping routine, so you can focus on healing and bonding with your baby.

  • Partner and Family Support: We help your entire family adjust by providing guidance and support, making this transition smoother for everyone.

Why a doula matters

Better Outcomes for You & Your Baby

52.9% Decrease in cesarean sections

Doulas provide hands-on, continuous care that reduces stress and medical interventions, significantly lowering the likelihood of a C-section

60% fewer request for epidurals

Through techniques like massage, counterpressure, and breathing exercises, doulas help mange pain naturally, reducing reliance on epidurals

25% Shorter labor

With a doula’s support, labor is often smoother and faster, thanks to techniques like movement, position changes, and relaxation strategies.

80-90% higher breastfeeeding rate

Mothers supported by doula are significantly more likely to start breastfeeding after birth with initiations rates as high as 90%. This support often bridges gaps in resources, ensuring families have the tools to succeed in breastfeeding from the start. This reduces common frustrations and increases the likelihood of sustained breastfeeding

40% less use of oxxytocin

Doula’s promote natural labor progression through encouragement, comfort measures, and emotional reassurance, decreasing the need for labor inducing medications

64.7% decrease in postpartum depression/anxiety

Doulas provide emotional and practical support during a crucial time when new parents may feel overwhelmed. Studies show that individual supported by doulas report significantly lower rates in postpartum depression and anxiety, largely due to the continuous care and personalized assistance we offer.

Black women in the United State are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications compared to white women. These outcomes are not due to biology but rather systemic racism, implicit bias, and inequities in healthcare access and treatment.

The Impact

Studies reveal that structural inequalities in the health care system lead to black women receiving delayed care, fewer pain management options, and less compassionate treatment. These disparities exist regardless of income or education level, proving this issues is widespread and systemic.

How Doulas Support Black Mothers

Doulas are not only trained in providing physical and emotional support but also advocating for their clients. For Black mothers, doulas can help bridge the gap in communication with healthcare providers, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met.

Improved Outcomes

Research shows that continuous support from a doula during pregnancy and birth significantly reduces the likelihood of interventions like caesarean sections, decrease maternal stress, and increase overall satisfaction with the birth experience.

Making a difference

Having a doula isn’t just a personal decision— its a step toward addressing a larger public health issue. By choosing a doula, mothers can feel heard empowered, protected, and heard while also improving their own health outcomes and setting a new standard of care.

Black maternal health disparities.

The Reality…

How Doulas Differ From Other Health Professionals

  • Doulas don’t perform exams or administer treatments.

  • Doulas cater to your individual emotional and physical needs, offering consistent, hands-on support during birth or postpartum recovery.

  • Doulas work alongside your healthcare providers to ensure your preferences and voice are respected, making the entire process smoother and more centered around you.

 FAQs

  • Midwives provide medical care, such as prenatal exams, catching the baby, and monitoring labor. Doulas offer non-medical support, focusing on your emotional- well being and comfort.

  • Not at all! Doulas work to support both you and your partner. They enhance your partner’s confidence and involvement while ensuring you both feel cared for.

  • You can hire a doula at any point, but earlier is often better. This allows you to build a relationship and fully benefit from prenatal support.

  • Absolutely! Doulas support all birth plans, whether medicated, unmedicated, or surgical. Our role is to help you feel prepared and cared for, no matter your choices.

  • No, postpartum doulas typically visit your home for scheduled sessions to help with your recovery, infant care, and overall well-being.