FAQs

What is a Doula?

What do Doula’s do vs. not do?

• A doula is a personal addition to your birth or postpartum team whose sole job is to ensure that you are both physically and emotionally supported. A doula is there to help you to advocate for yourself and your care so that you may feel in control of making decisions for yourself and your baby.
• A doula educates.
• A doula empowers.
• A doula comforts and makes sure you are comfortable.
• A doula will give you ideas to try to help your labor progress.
• A doula will give you massages, counterpressure, hold your hand, or hold your leg.
• A doula gives you positive affirmations throughout your pregnancy, labor, and birth.
• A doula holds space for you and your family.
• Doulas are trained to support a variety of parenting styles and birthing choices.
• A doula is not a medical professional.
• A doula does not catch your baby.
• A doula does not perform cervical checks.
• A doula does not give medical advice.
• A doula does not make decisions for you or your baby.
• A doula is not an adversary to your medical provider.
• A doula will always advise you to check with your care provider (midwife, ob-gyn, or pediatrician).
• As a doula, I do not attend unassisted births. You must be under the care of a midwife or an obstetrician and they must be present for your birth.

What are the benefits of a doula?

Of all the ways birth outcomes could be improved,
continuous labor support seems like one of the most
important and basic needs for birthing people. Research has
shown that labor support from doulas is both risk-free and
highly effective.

Rebecca Dekker – evidencebasedbirth.com

Read more about the evidence on doula support here Evidence on Doula Support

Are Doulas the same as Midwives?

No. In Ohio, a CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife) typically provides midwifery care under the practice of an obstetrician and may provide prenatal and other gynecological care and deliveries in a hospital. There are now a few CNMs who are providing out of hospital care as well. A CPM (Certified Professional Midwife) may be certified in midwifery and would not be able to practice in a hospital setting and would only provide care for homebirths. Same with a DEM (Direct Entry Midwife) or a lay Midwife. A midwife is a medical professional who is hired to care for you in your pregnancy and birth of your baby. A midwife or obstetrician may make medical recommendations based on tests and screenings completed during your care.