Why hire a doula: 3 excellent reasons

 

By Laëtitia Sassy, for ChoupiPlume

Good reasons to hire a doula: an ally serving parents and baby

In the complex world of maternity, do you know what a doula is? Between medical appointments, baby preparations, and the impending delivery, an expectant mother can quickly feel anxious. This is where a doula comes in. Her presence in the family’s life is increasingly talked about. But who exactly are we dealing with?
Why call on this professional? How can she effectively guide new parents through this journey? If you want to know more, the following article will try to answer your questions.

1. Reassuring the mother in the face of over-medicalized pregnancy

The doula: who is she?

The Larousse dictionary indicates that the term comes from the ancient Greek “doulê,” meaning servant. She is a person who accompanies parents during the postnatal period, during childbirth, and even beyond. She is not a doctor or a midwife, which is why the expectant mother should always refer to her doctor. 

Today, however, professionals are increasingly observing and controlling pregnancy. Faced with this situation, a number of women are reclaiming their maternity. Thus, some of them choose to use a doula, in addition to traditional therapeutic follow-up. 

The doula: what exactly is her role?

The arrival of a child is an important stage in a mother's life. Today, it is a highly medicalized process. The scheduled appointments in the care pathway serve as a reminder. It starts with her general practitioner, continues with the midwife (not necessarily in that order, by the way), then the obstetrician, and so on, until the baby arrives.

Suffice it to say, this can generate a certain amount of stress and anxiety for the expectant mother. The doula intervenes to reassure parents. She can provide invaluable emotional support throughout this period. Thus, she supports the expectant mother in her various steps. During meetings with medical professionals, for example, her mere presence can calm the fears of the expectant mother. This is not negligible. Everyone knows that stress causes harm, especially for pregnant women. 

Here is a concrete overview of a doula's daily work with parents and baby:

2. Supporting the family from the beginning of maternity and beyond birth

Calling on a doula to prepare for childbirth

The doula makes herself available to the patient. Her listening role is of great importance. Therefore, she provides psychological and material support to the expectant mother. To ensure that everything is ready for the baby's arrival, she can help with the birth plan. She gives her opinion, her impressions, and what can be improved. It is up to the parents to take it into account or not. The doula relies on her own experience of childbirth. She is therefore able to advise the patient. Some of them are trained in yoga and other relaxation techniques. These doulas thus contribute to the mother's well-being so that she is in the best possible condition for the baby's arrival.

Also read our article: Decoding pregnancy numbers: SA and percentile

A welcome help when baby arrives

When parents finally welcome their child, the doula's mission takes on its full meaning. Indeed, many women feel exhausted after childbirth. The professional is there to support the mother. She relieves the mother by temporarily taking care of the newborn, for example, by changing them and providing initial care. The doula also provides assistance and expertise for breastfeeding, if that is the mother's wish. When the family returns home, the doula can guide and help you during the first few days. This is all the more important because these first moments can sometimes be challenging. 

3. Trusting a specialist whose status is already legalized in several countries

What is the status of doulas in France?

You are probably wondering from the beginning of this article what the place of the doula is in the medical field. In France, although she is indispensable for some parents, the authorities do not officially recognize her. The National Council of French Gynecologists and Obstetricians has stated that the mother should be more surrounded, while disapproving of the presence of this person, outside the body of caregivers.

However, rest assured, because a well-established association since 2003 exists and has a precise charter. The organization Doula de France. What does this document say? It explains the commitments made by this group to patients, and the strict adherence to the legislative framework by its members. The country is gradually moving towards this support approach. Moreover, since 2024, a mutual insurance company even reimburses part of the appointments with professionals; this is Nostrum care.

Also read our article: Supporting sick children and their families: the real impact of your donations

What is the place of the doula in the world?

Although this activity is new to us, the discipline has been widespread in society for a long time; it remains particularly in use in English-speaking countries. The presence of doulas is found, among others, in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. 

In the United States, each region has its own legislative system governing the profession. It was in 1992 that doulas created the first association in that state. In the United Kingdom, a country closer to us, low-income people even have financial support to pay these women. According to figures from Doula UK, in 2023, out of 2000 births attended, a doula helped with 700 of them. 

Why hire a doula: key takeaways

The benefits of a doula's intervention 

Involving a professional to support your pregnancy can be necessary. Testimonials published on the Doulas de France association's website highlight a sense of support, listening, and reassurance throughout the prenatal period.

Indeed, according to a randomized American study, using a doula:

• reduces stress for both mother and baby;

• improves communication between healthcare professionals and parents;

• reduces the number of C-sections and medication use;

• alleviates postpartum depression.

A desire to demystify childbirth

Thanks to the intervention of these companions, birth becomes a slightly less medical and stressful event for some women. Mothers thus perceive maternity with less apprehension. They can access a more natural birth if they wish. Doulas work closely with mothers and thus ensure that their choices and desires are respected. 

If you want to know how our association helps families of hospitalized children, subscribe to our Choupidou newsletter on LinkedIn. 

Sources: 

• French National Authority for Health (HAS): Preparation for birth and parenthood

• Report from the National Academy of Medicine: doulas: an emerging profession?

• Randomized American study on doula support during childbirth