What Does a Doula Do?
- Bec The Doula
- Jun 23
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 26
Your Supportive Companion for the Motherhood Journey
Welcome, lovely mamas!
If you’re here, you might be expecting, have recently welcomed a tiny human, or are simply curious about what a 'doula' is. As a mum of three myself, I understand that the transition into motherhood and life with a newborn can be quite an experience. It brings immense joy, and at times, it can also feel overwhelming. Motherhood truly is one of the most challenging and rewarding journeys you’ll embark on.
The postpartum period, in particular, can be incredibly tiring and sometimes lonely. Yet, it can also be a truly magical and loving experience when you feel genuinely held and supported. This is often where a doula can make a difference.
You might be wondering, "What exactly does a doula do?"
Essentially, a doula is a non-medical companion who offers continuous support – whether during pregnancy, throughout childbirth, or in the precious weeks and months after birth. Their primary role is to support birthing individuals and their partners by providing information, advocating for your
intentions, and offering physical and emotional comfort. A doula’s focus is always on you – the birthing person and the new mother – aiming to help you feel confident, seen, heard, and deeply supported.
Let’s explore the valuable contributions a doula can bring to your unique journey:
Types of Doulas: Birth Doulas vs. Postpartum Doulas
While the overarching aim is support, doulas often specialise in different stages of the parenting journey:
The Birth Doula: Your Companion Through Pregnancy & Labour
A birth doula primarily focuses on supporting you through pregnancy and childbirth. Their goal is to help you feel confident and prepared as you approach labour and birth.
During Pregnancy:
They can provide information about your pregnancy and birth options, helping you prepare for labour.
A doula can help you explore your birth preferences and discuss a birth plan that reflects your desires.
They may discuss past experiences that might affect your birth and help you identify your postnatal needs.
During Labour and Birth:
A birth doula offers continuous physical and emotional support, serving as a steady presence.
They might suggest various positions and movements to help ease discomfort during labour.
They can guide your breathing, help you relax, and offer comfort measures such as massage, hot packs, or aromatherapy.
A doula helps in creating the birthing environment you desire and can assist you in communicating your birth plan to your medical team.
They also support and guide your partner or birth support person, helping them to feel more involved and confident.
The Postpartum Doula: Nurturing You Through the Fourth Trimester
Postpartum doulas specialise in the period after your baby is born, often referred to as the "fourth trimester." This is a time of significant change, healing, and adjustment. A postpartum doula offers crucial support to help new parents rest, heal, and navigate this important phase.
Emotional Support:
A postpartum doula offers reassurance and encouragement, helping you feel capable in your new role as a mum.
They provide a safe, non-judgmental space for you to discuss your birth experience and all your emotions.
They can offer support for "baby blues" and help recognise signs of PPD/PPA, connecting you with professional resources if needed.
Gently, they remind and encourage you to prioritise your own well-being and self-care.
They can also assist with birth debriefing, helping you process your birth story to find understanding and closure.
Physical Support:
Doulas can assist with your recovery, providing comfort measures and understanding the physical changes your body experiences after birth.
They remind you to eat and drink, and sometimes prepare basic meals or snacks to ensure you are nourished.
They can hold the baby, allowing you time to rest, shower, enjoy a warm meal, or connect with your older children.
Informational Support:
A doula can guide you to evidence-based information and offer hands-on help with infant feeding, whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding.
They provide newborn care education, guiding you through nappy changes, bathing, soothing techniques, and understanding your baby’s cues.
They can offer practical tips and strategies for infant sleep.
Doulas can connect you with local professionals like lactation consultants, paediatricians, therapists, or support groups through resource referrals.
They help your whole family, including partners and older siblings, adapt to life with a new baby.
Practical Support:
They can help with basic meal preparation, cooking simple meals or snacks for your family.
Light housework, such as laundry, washing dishes, sterilising bottles, tidying up, and light cleaning, can be handled by a doula to ease your load.
They may run small errands like grocery shopping to help reduce your burden.
A doula can engage with older children, allowing you to focus on your newborn or take a much-needed rest.
Why Consider a Doula?
Engaging a doula means investing in continuous, personalised support that centers on your well-being. It’s about having someone experienced by your side, offering a non-judgmental ear, and providing practical assistance that can make a genuine difference in your daily life. Doulas help you navigate the range of emotions, provide tangible help, and aim to empower you to feel confident and well-supported in your motherhood journey.
Does a Doula sound like exactly what you need?
Every postpartum journey is unique, and while doulas offer a broad range of support, I am flexible and here to provide whatever practical and emotional care you need. If you think we'd be a good match for your postpartum journey, I invite you to connect with me.
My availability is intentionally limited to ensure every mama receives dedicated care, so I recommend booking your package early to secure your spot.
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