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.

“Giving birth transforms all involved. Wen a baby is born, so is a family.”

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