Is a Doula Worth It?

Here in Kansas City, there are quite a lot of Facebook groups for moms which is so nice for fostering community:

KC Moms, Holistic Moms, Homeschool Moms, Wild and Free Moms, and more

And since these FB groups are for moms, there’s a certain question that regularly comes up, and because I’m a birthworker, I’m very drawn to all posts related to pregnancy and birth. But the one question that is on my mind today is “Are doulas really worth the expense?”. This question usually has plenty of women who answer. Out of 100 there may be 1 who says,

“No, don’t bother”. Or sadly, “No, stay away from doulas, I had one and she was horrible.

But the other 99% say,

“Absolutely 100%. yes! Here’s who I used and she’s wonderful!”

In our previous post, A Doula?, we addressed not only what a doula is but how much we need these women in our society. Women who are there to help guide, support, encourage, and be a friend. If you are pregnant first of all Congratulations! We at Rooted and Grounded are happy you are looking into options. Second of all, who do you have that will help guide, support, and encourage you in your pregnancy and the momentous event of childbirth? What when you and hubby are home, alone with a newborn? Who do you have to call for breastfeeding questions, sleep, your healing body, etc?

Men have historically and culturally not been a part of birth

While I love the presence of dads in the birthing room, men have historically and culturally not been a part of birth. It was the women in the community that would gather around and support the laboring mother. It was a natural sisterhood that provided collective wisdom. But again I stress, it is wonderful having your husband with you in your birth space and we have plenty of ways to help dads feel comfortable and fully participate in the birth of their child. The two of you will go through this experience and it will be life-changing.

But to fully honor the collective wisdom of sisterhood and the women in our community who have given themselves to being a doula:

Here are 10 reasons why the answer is “Yes, A Doula is Worth it!”

1. Emotional Support:

   Doulas provide continuous emotional support, offering encouragement, reassurance, and comfort throughout labor. This can help reduce anxiety and stress, contributing to a more positive birthing experience.

2. Knowledge and Information:

   Doulas are trained in childbirth and can provide valuable information about the labor process, various birthing options, and potential interventions. This knowledge empowers mothers to make informed decisions about their birthing experience.

3. Continuous Presence:

   Unlike medical professionals who may have multiple patients to attend to, a doula is there solely for the mother. Their continuous presence ensures that the mother feels supported and cared for consistently throughout the entire labor.

4. Advocacy:

   Doulas act as advocates for the mother, helping her communicate with medical staff or the midwives and ensuring her birth plan is respected to the extent possible. This advocacy role can be crucial in navigating unexpected situations during labor.

5. Comfort Techniques:

   Doulas are trained in various comfort measures, such as massage, breathing techniques, and positioning, to help ease the discomfort of labor. These techniques can enhance the mother's overall experience and contribute to a smoother labor process.

6. Partner Involvement:

   Doulas support not only the mother but also her partner. They help partners understand the birthing process, offer guidance on how to provide effective support and allow dads to take breaks when needed, ensuring a more positive experience for both.

7. Reduced Intervention Rates:

   Studies suggest that the presence of a doula during labor is associated with lower rates of medical interventions, such as cesarean sections and the use of epidurals. This can lead to a more natural and less medically-invasive birth experience.

8. Postpartum Support:

   Doulas often provide postpartum support, helping mothers with breastfeeding, newborn care, and emotional well-being. This continuity of care can be especially beneficial in the transition to parenthood.

9. Shorter Labors:

   Some studies suggest that having a doula may be associated with shorter labor durations. The emotional and physical support provided by a doula can contribute to the mother's overall well-being and potentially impact the progress of labor.

10. Positive Birth Memories:

    With their support, doulas aim to create a positive and empowering birthing experience. The emotional connection and guidance provided by a doula can contribute to the formation of positive memories surrounding the birth, which can be invaluable for the mother's long-term well-being.

via GIPHY

Anyone can provide physical and emotional support for you during your labor and delivery, your mom, a friend. But having someone with experience and skills is truly invaluable and it is an investment into your overall well-being and the satisfaction you and your husband will feel about the birthing process.

So let’s get to the nitty gritty. Maybe you're considering adding a doula into your birth experience but are still uncomfortable about the cost.

Here are a few reasons why a doula is worth the cost :

1. Specialized Training and Certification:

   • Doulas typically undergo specialized training and certification programs to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge. The cost of these training programs, along with ongoing education and certification fees, contributes to the overall expenses that doulas incur.

2. Time and Availability:

   • Doulas commit a significant amount of time to their clients, including pre-birth meetings, being on call for the birth, and postpartum support. The nature of their work requires them to be available 24/7 around the expected due date, which may limit their ability to take on other commitments as well as missing out on their own family events.

3. Business Expenses:

   • Doulas often operate as independent contractors or small business owners. They may have expenses such as marketing, transportation, and maintaining necessary supplies. These costs are factored into the fees they charge for their services.

4. Continuing Education and Professional Development:

   • Doulas often invest in continuing education to stay updated on the latest research, techniques, and best practices in childbirth and postpartum support. Attending workshops, conferences, and other professional development opportunities incurs additional costs that may be reflected in their fees.

5. Emotional and Physical Demands:

   • Supporting individuals through the emotional and physical challenges of labor and childbirth is demanding work. Doulas invest a significant amount of energy, time, and emotional labor into each client. The compensation they receive accounts for the demanding nature of the job and the emotional support they provide.

When you work with a doula, you are not just receiving a transactional service.

Granted all doulas are not created equal. And there is so much to be reclaimed in sisterhood. Whether you birth in the hospital, birth center, or in your home, gather women around you that bring a deeper connection to you. Women see birth not as something done to you but a spiritual process that transforms you.

Let us pray that we women realize the reason for our existence: to love and be loved and through this love become instruments of peace in the world.

~Mother Teresa