Frequently Asked Questions
What is a doula?
A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous emotional, physical, practical, and informational support to individuals and families during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. Unlike midwives or doctors, doulas do not provide medical care or make clinical decisions. Instead, they work alongside your healthcare providers to ensure you feel informed, supported, and confident throughout your journey.
At the heart of a doula's role is support, not judgement. A doula respects your choices, honours your values, and helps you navigate pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood in a way that feels right for your family.
What are the types of doula support?
Pregnancy (Antenatal) Doula: Offers education, preparation, and emotional support during pregnancy, helping you explore your options, prepare for birth, and build confidence.
Birth Doula: Provides continuous support during labour and birth, using comfort measures, encouragement, and evidence-based information to help you feel safe and empowered. They also support partners so they can participate in the birth in a way that feels right for them.
Postpartum Doula: Supports families in the weeks and months after birth, offering practical help around the home, newborn care guidance, emotional support, and a listening ear as parents adjust to life with their baby
What does a birth doula do?
The main job of a birth doula (or labor doula) is to be by your side offering nonmedical techniques during labor, such as breathing, massage, and helping you move into different body positions.
They can also provide emotional support and act as an advocate on your behalf. No matter what type of birth you have, your doula will help you feel safe and empowered. A doula will support you in your birth decisions. Much like a trusted friend who guides you through a big life event, this is the kind of support you can expect.
What does a post partum doula do?
A postpartum doula is a support person for your family after your baby is born. Our main goal is to "mother the mother." We provide emotional reassurance, physical help, and newborn education. We do not do medical tasks. Instead, we make life easier so you can heal and bond with your baby.
A postpartum doula helps in these exact ways:
Taking care of the baby: We watch the baby while you nap, shower, or eat. We can also help with bathing, swaddling, and soothing techniques
Helping with recovery: We check on how you are healing from birth. We can bring you water or healthy snacks
Feeding support: We give tips and support for breastfeeding or bottle feeding
Light chores: We do light tasks like washing baby bottles, folding baby laundry, and tidying up
Supporting partners: We help partners learn baby care skills and adjust to the new family routine
Caring for older kids: We play with siblings so you can have quiet time with the new baby
What is the difference between a doula and a midwife?
A midwife is a medically trained healthcare provider who manages the clinical safety of your pregnancy and delivers your baby.
A doula is a non-medical companion who provides continuous physical and emotional support, acting as an advocate for the birthing person
Midwives and doctors focus on the medical safety of you and your baby. A doula is dedicated solely to your comfort, emotional well-being, and continuous support. We never replace your medical team.
Why engage doula support?
In today's world, many families don't have immediate support close by. Having an experienced, compassionate doula alongside you during the postpartum period can provide reassurance, practical help, and a calm, steady presence as you adjust to life with your new baby.
The days and weeks after birth are a time of immense change. While partners, family members, and friends often want to help, they are usually navigating their own commitments and responsibilities too. A postpartum doula offers dedicated support, allowing everyone the opportunity to rest, recover, and settle into their new roles.
Support can be wonderfully practical. Whether it's preparing nourishing meals, putting on a load of washing, tidying the house, or folding laundry, these everyday tasks are taken care of so you can focus on what matters most—bonding with your baby. Depending on your family's needs, a doula may care for your baby while you catch up on sleep, enjoy a long shower, take a walk, or simply have a quiet moment to yourself. They can also help with older siblings by assisting with school or childcare pick-ups, playtime at home, or simply giving them some extra attention as everyone adjusts to welcoming a new family member.
Can a doula help if I plan to have an epidural or C-section?
Yes. Doulas provide great support regardless of how you give birth. We can help you change positions in bed, advocate for your preferences, and keep you and your partner calm and informed. It is currently unlikely that a doula would be allowed into the theatre for a caesarean section, however they can provide support prior to and after (this is especially helpful if there are unknown wait times).
In the event of an unplanned C-section, your doula can wait with you, provide comfort and reassurance, and help alleviate fears and anxieties. A valuable asset to your birth team.
Do you provide home-birth doula care?
This is where my main birth experience lies. I have been at many homebirths and thrive in this space.
I can offer support to all present and ensure that all preparations needed are fulfilled.
What does the evidence and research say?
There is strong evidence that continuous support during labour—particularly from someone in a doula role—is associated with better birth outcomes and a more positive birth experience. The best evidence comes from a large Cochrane systematic review, which is considered one of the highest standards of medical evidence.
Research shows that having a doula can improve both birth outcomes and the experience of becoming a parent. Continuous support during labour is linked to fewer interventions, lower caesarean rates, shorter labours, and more positive birth experiences.
Beyond birth, postpartum doulas provide practical and emotional support that can help families feel more confident, connected, and cared for during the early weeks of parenthood