The Importance of Doula Care
The Importance of Having a Birth Doula in Minneapolis: 5 Benefits of Continuous Labor Support
At Roots Community Birth Center, we want you to have a positive and supportive birth experience. That’s why we encourage our birthing parents to have a doula present for the birth of their child. You might be wondering, “What is a birth doula?” or “What does a doula do or not do?” In this blog, we'll explore a birth doula's role and answer your questions about doulas in Minneapolis. Let's dive in!
What is a Doula?
A doula is someone who is trained to help and support parents before, during, and after birth. There are many different types of doulas, including:
● Antenatal doulas who provide support during pregnancy
● Postpartum doulas who help new parents with newborn care and postpartum
recovery
● Sibling doulas who support families with older children as they transition and
bring a new baby into the home
● Bereavement doulas who care for families experiencing loss
● Birth doulas who provide hands-on support and encouragement during labor and
birth
All doulas have a unique role to play, but in this blog, we’ll focus on what a birth doula
can do to support your birth at Roots Community Birth Center.
What is a Birth Doula’s Role?
After getting to know you through the interview process and several sessions during
your pregnancy, a birth doula will stay by your side throughout your entire labor and
birth experience and provide hands-on support, comfort, and education. Your doula can
offer information and education about what is happening through each stage of labor,
hands-on support through your contractions, soothing words and tried-and-true
techniques for pain management, and ideas for position changes and comfort
measures.
While a doula is a person who supports you emotionally and mentally throughout your
labor, they will not perform any exams or interventions during your labor or birth, such
as checking the cervix or catching the baby. Doulas also do not give medical advice or
diagnose conditions.
Do I Need a Birth Doula if I’m Receiving Care from a Midwife?
At Roots, we say yes! We pride ourselves on the personalized care we give to our
pregnant and laboring parents. However, midwives provide clinical care to keep you and
your baby safe. While we will check in often, we often cannot be present for the entire
labor at the birth center.
In contrast, according to Evidence Based Birth (EBB), a doula will “nurture and support
the birthing person throughout labor and birth. Their essential role is to provide
continuous labor support,” no matter what decisions the laboring parent makes or how
they give birth.
We see your doula as a crucial part of your birthing team. We each have our role to
play, but doulas are experts in supporting you emotionally as you bring your baby into
the world in a compassionate and empowered environment.
How Can a Doula Support Me and My Partner?
Some birthing people are afraid that a doula will take the place of their romantic partner, or whomever,
who wants to be their primary support person during labor. However, a doula will not
replace your partner; rather, a birth doula will support you and your partner during your
labor and birth.
The birth of your baby is a transformative experience and, while joyful, can also come
with fears and uncertainty for both the birthing parent and their partner. A doula is
trained to address, nurture, and support both parents emotionally, mentally, and
physically during labor. They help soothe fears, reduce anxiety, and answer questions
that may arise. In addition, doulas provide continuous birth support during times when a
partner may need to take a break to eat or use the restroom.
What are the Benefits of Having a Doula in Minneapolis?
Continuous emotional and physical support during labor and birth are essential
elements of a positive birth experience. Here are five benefits of having a birth doula in
Minneapolis.
Shorter Labor
Studies have shown that people who have a birth doula have shorter labors by 40
minutes on average.
Less Pain
Evidence Based Birth writes: One study revealed that doulas are a form of pain relief
themselves! With continuous support from a knowledgeable and present doula, birthing
parents actually feel less pain during labor.
Fewer Interventions
EBB also reports that birthing parents who receive continuous support from a doula are
more likely to have spontaneous vaginal births and less likely to have pain medication,
epidurals, vacuum- or forceps-assisted births, and Cesareans.
Help During the Unexpected
Doulas can emotionally help birthing parents cope with unexpected circumstances in
childbirth, such as an extremely long labor, medical problems that may arise with the
baby, or, in rare circumstances, an emergency transfer to a hospital. Your doula will stay
by your side to comfort, support, and educate you and your partner no matter what
happens.
Positive Feelings
Every experienced doula knows that birth is one of the most emotionally transformative
events in a person’s life. Having a doula can help you identify and process the complex
emotions that can come with birth. Studies have shown that when birthing people are
supported by a doula, they decrease the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth
experience by more than 30 percent.
How Can I Find a Doula?
Locating a doula can be as simple as doing a web search and making a phone call.
However, finding the right doula for your birth experience takes time and close attention.
It’s wise to interview several doulas before choosing who will support you during your
birth. Ask questions about their birth experience and the comfort measures they offer.
Then reflect on how their personality, energy, and beliefs resonate with you. Trusting
your intuition is key in choosing the right doula; you want someone who you feel
comfortable with as they will be present during one of the most intimate moments of
your life.
Cost can also be a factor in choosing a doula. If this is a concern for you, Roots
Community Birth Center has a volunteer doula program that allows our clients to have free
access to a birth doula. We believe that having a doula to support you physically and
emotionally during your birth is a beautiful and life-giving choice, one that we want to
make available to all our clients.
If you would like to learn more about how to find a doula or how a doula can support you
during your labor and birth, call us at 612-338-2784 or fill out our form!
Photo credits: Gather Birth