What is a Doula?

What is a Doula?

 

 

Are you currently expecting? You may be overwhelmed by all that is happening with your life and body. If you need extra support to get through it all, consider hiring a doula. We can tell you all about doulas so you can decide if a doula is right for you!

 

What is a doula?

A doula is not a healthcare provider. Instead, they’re a professionally certified individual specially trained to support you emotionally, motivationally, and sometimes physically throughout the pregnancy and labor and even after that if needed. 

 

A doula isn’t supposed to provide medical advice or assistance. Instead, they are there for your emotional well-being so you can have a smooth journey through pregnancy.

 

What does a doula do?

 

While a doula isn’t qualified to provide any medical help or medical advice, here’s how they can help you instead:

1. They could help solve a few common pregnancy-related issues

2. If you need help with a birth plan, your doula can assist you with that

3. If you’re dealing with pregnancy-related ailments like pain, nausea, and other such symptoms, your doula can help by providing natural methods such as massages and breathing strategies to deal with it

4. If you choose to have them with you during labor, they may help give you constant support and reassurance throughout labor.

5. A doula is great at providing emotional reassurance when pregnancy-related problems get a little too much to deal with

6. If you’re dealing with lactation-related issues in the postpartum period, your doula may be able to provide some guidance

7. A doula may help you navigate through postpartum blues and depression

 

What is the difference between a doula and a midwife?

As mentioned above, a doula doesn’t have any medical credentials, so they aren’t qualified to provide any medical or obstetric care to you. Their role is to solely provide emotional and spiritual support and reassurance to mothers and their families through this very special time.

 

A midwife, on the other hand, is a certified health professional. The Certified Nurse-Midwives at Sacred Roots  have completed graduate-level programs and passed the suitable examinations to qualify for the designation. Since they’re qualified individuals, they can provide medical advice, and prescribe medical tests and medication if needed. 

If you ever have a question, just give us a call!