Why Hire A Doula

A birth doula is a professional who specializes in providing non-medical support throughout
pregnancy and birth. Birth doulas share evidence-based information during pregnancy and are a
wonderful source of emotional support through the ups and downs of your pregnancy. When you’re
ready to give birth, your doula rushes to your side when you need them. While you labor, they can
get the info you need to make the choices that are right for you, assist with comfort measures to help
manage the intensity of childbirth, and ensure your non-medical needs are met. Once your baby is
born, a birth doula helps you get settled in and helps with baby’s first feed.
So how do you know if you need a doula? We find our clients choose doula support for four main
reasons:

1. You’d like professional support to help guide you through birth,
based on your personal values.

You might be concerned about how you will feel and act during childbirth. The non-judgmental
support your doula offers makes them the ideal person to be present during labor. They can bring
you a cold cloth, help you change positions, and even manage who comes and goes from your
delivery room. You can count on your doula to follow through with the plans you have laid out, while
your energy is focused on your labor.

2. You don’t want to feel alone during labor and birth.

Humans tend to cope better in challenging situations if they have companionship and support.
Having someone at your side to offer clarification, answer small questions, and talk you through
labor can be invaluable for expectant parents. Labor is a lot more fun when you have someone you
feel completely at ease with to offer experience and care.
Doulas love to answer those questions, too! Some of our clients feel embarrassed or guilty about
paging their nurse for something minor, but are able to relax and feel safe with us available to them
at all times. You never need to worry that your questions are silly—ask away!

3. You want to feel safe and secure and want your partner to feel
safe and secure, too.

Many expectant parents are concerned about labor being painful or traumatic for their partner. In
some cases, the non-childbearing partner may have intense physical reactions as well!
Doulas help alleviate worries by reassuring you both that all is well and normal. Your partner will be
better able to relax and enjoy the birth of your child, and you’ll be able to focus on the work of giving
birth.

4. You want ongoing access to evidence-based information.

You might already be well informed about the process of childbirth and the medications, procedures,
and techniques associated with giving birth. Yet we find that even our most knowledgeable clients
have a little bit of anxiety over the possibility of forgetting information when the time actually comes
to give birth.
As experts on birth, doulas are a great relief to these families. Imagine having access to someone
who not only understands the process of birth and the procedures of your hospital, but also
advocates for your personal values and needs. Should an unexpected event happen at your birth
that leaves you with decisions to make, your doula will be an unbiased source of information. With
no attachment to your choices, your doula is the perfect addition to your team.
Hiring a birth doula for labor is a very personal decision. Every family has individual needs, and no
two families require the same type of support. When you share your goals and desires for your
childbirth experience, your birth doula will do everything within their scope to help you achieve the
birth of our dreams.
If any of these reasons feels right for you, we encourage you to reach out to Shore Grace Family
Wellness. We meet you where you are in the process and are confident you will find exactly what
you need from us.