Doulas 101: Types, Benefits, and Why You Need One
Pregnant woman embracing sunshine with Joshua trees in the background.
Pregnancy is a deeply personal and transformative experience, filled with joy, challenges, and sometimes unexpected turns. For those navigating the journey, a doula can provide invaluable support—whether you're preparing for childbirth, coping with a loss, or adjusting to life with a newborn.
A doula is like a personal trainer for your parenting journey. Just like you can go to the gym and work out on your own, you can navigate birth/parenthood without a doula. However, if you have specific goals, want expert guidance, or need someone to support you through challenges, a doula becomes an invaluable partner.
This guide explores the many types of doulas, their benefits, and how they can support you through every stage, including the difficult moments of loss.
What is a Doula?
A doula is a trained professional who provides emotional, physical, and informational support to individuals during pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, or loss. Unlike medical practitioners, doulas do not provide or prescribe medical treatment or advice (unless they are an advanced provider - i.e. montrice, midwife, or other medical provider).
Why Family and Friends Aren’t Doulas (Unless They Are A Doula)
While your friend, sister, or cousin may be a wonderful source of emotional support, they are not a doula—unless they’re trained as one. Friends and family members, no matter how caring, typically lack the specific medical knowledge and expertise that professional doulas bring to the table. Doulas are trained to navigate the complexities of hospital procedures, advocate within the medical system, and understand the unique dynamics of maternity care. Even family members with medical training often lack the specialized focus on childbirth and the nuances of labor support. Additionally, a doula provides objective, professional support that loved ones—who are emotionally invested—may struggle to offer in high-stress or unpredictable moments. This makes a trained doula an invaluable addition to your birth team, complementing the encouragement and love of family and friends.
Different Types of Doulas
Birth Doula: Supports you during labor and delivery with comfort measures, advocacy, and emotional reassurance.
Postpartum Doula: Offers hands-on help with newborn care, emotional support, and guidance as you transition into parenthood.
Antepartum Doula: Focuses on high-risk pregnancies or those facing complications, providing specialized care during pregnancy.
Full-Spectrum Doula: Guides you through any pregnancy outcome, including miscarriage, abortion, adoption, or stillbirth.
Bereavement Doula: Specializes in supporting families coping with loss, helping them find solace and healing.
Full-Spectrum Doulas: Supporting All Outcomes
A full-spectrum doula provides care not only for pregnancy and birth but also during loss or termination. This type of doula is uniquely trained to offer compassionate support for:
Miscarriage: Offering a steady presence, guidance through the physical process, and emotional care to navigate grief and healing.
Stillbirth: Helping families create meaningful memories, navigate medical decisions, and begin processing their loss.
Abortion: Providing nonjudgmental support before, during, and after the procedure, ensuring emotional and physical well-being.
These doulas prioritize respect and empathy, creating a safe space for individuals experiencing a range of emotions during challenging times.
Birth doula providing support to a laboring person in a birth tub.
Doula Care & Benefits
Doulas offer tailored support for every stage of your journey.
Birth Doula Care
Prepares you prenatally for birth with education, information and resources.
Help you develop a birth plan.
Provide hands on support during labor.
Help navigate decisions making.
Provide an overall sense of calm and encouragement.
Statistics on Improved Birth Outcomes
Continuous support from a doula during labor is associated with:
39% decrease in the risk of cesarean birth.
15% increase in the likelihood of spontaneous vaginal birth.
10% reduction in the use of pain medication.
38% decrease in low birth weight rates.
(Source: Cochrane Review on Continuous Support for Women During Childbirth, 2017)
Postpartum Doula Care
Assist with infant care, including diaper changes, soothing techniques.
Help establish feeding and sleeping routine.
Provide feeding support and resources.
Help with light household tasks, laundry, dishes, tidying up, preparing meals.
Provide emotional support.
Postpartum Doula Benefits
Reduce risk of postpartum depression.
Increased parent bonding.
Improve family bonding.
Bereavement / Full Spectrum Care
Offer emotional support during miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion.
Guide families through decision-making and medical processes with sensitivity.
Suggest self-care strategies and healing rituals to process grief.
Help manage physical recovery by providing guidance on rest, nutrition, and postpartum care.
Provide practical assistance with household tasks, childcare, or errands during recovery.
Bereavement / Full Spectrum Benefits
Reduced feelings of isolation.
Enhanced grief processing.
Validation of experience.
Informed decision making.
Comfort measures strategies for better healing.
Bereavement / Full Spectrum doulas help you process grief, advocate for your needs, and connect with resources for healing.
Note: Doula care is highly personalized and can vary from person to person. It’s essential to interview potential doulas beforehand and clearly communicate your expectations, values, and goals. To ensure the best fit, consider interviewing several doulas to find the one whose approach and personality align with your needs and preferences.
Support for Every Stage
Life’s journey is full of highs and lows, and a doula can make each moment more manageable, empowering, and compassionate. If you're seeking guidance during pregnancy, postpartum, or after a loss, consider hiring a doula to walk alongside you with care and understanding.
For more information or to find a doula near you:
