4 Real Women on Why They Hired Doulas for Childbirth

Raising a baby begins months before the baby arrives. Will you have an epidural or go sans meds? Will you deliver at a birthing center or a hospital? Will you use a doula or rely on your partner and family? We were extra curious about that last question, so we asked these four women who did, in fact, decide to hire doulas. Here’s what they told us about their experiences.

The Couple Who Wanted Someone to Stick Up for Them
“My husband and I tend to crumble in the face of authority, so if a nurse or doctor commanded us to do something, I was worried we’d say yes without asking what it was, and why. Make sure you’re working with someone who you are extremely comfortable around. They are going to see you scream and cry. Make sure they know the role you want your partner to have in the room.” —Jo, 32

The One Who Didn’t Want to Make the Same Mistake Twice
“My first birth 19 years earlier was traumatic for me with unnecessary interventions. I did a lot of research this time around and wanted to try to see what my body could do if given the chance and a doula seemed like a great option to make sure this was possible. It was like having a Fairy Godmother of Labor and Birth with me at all times and that allowed me to focus on the work me and my body needed to do (aka push out a ten-pound baby without any pain meds or intervention)!” , 38

The One Who Wanted to Get Some Sleep
“I surprisingly found the pre- and post-partum hours to be equally as valuable as the day-of delivery support (or maybe even more valuable). My package included ten hours of in-home help, which could be used in a variety of ways, from meal prep to watching our son while we got some much-needed rest. We ended up using these at night so that we could sleep.” —Danielle, 31

I Wanted Someone Who Was Supportive and Not Judgmental
“I was nervous all the doulas I interviewed would be too ‘crunchy’ for me and super anti-Western medicine and anti-epidural. I was pleasantly surprised when I met my doula that she was supportive of it all and not judgmental. I was also surprised about how little the doctors and nurses tell you when you’re in labor, and how much I would not have known or understood without a doula.” —Noelle, 33

from PureWow