This article is re-posted from Bloom Your Birth website. Check out the original publication here.

A little bit of history

The notion of having a supportive companion providing to a birthing woman is as old as the prehistoric times, evidenced by some archaeological findings such as statues and stone carvings from all around the world.

The term Doula would have derived from modern Greek meaning “servant-woman”, or ‘female slave’ from Ancient Greek during Aristotle’s time. Not a pretty one though, so let’s stick with the ‘modern Greek version’, sounds kind of better to the ear.

That being said, women have always birthed among and with each others. A labouring women would have never been left alone, being always surrounded by her mother, grandmother, sisters and other females from the neighbourhood etc.

What is a modern Doula?

A Doula is this person close to your heart who’s here to provide continuous physical support, and emotional support throughout your pregnancy, labour, birth and during the post-partum. She is there to advocate for you, respect and support you with and into your birthing choices and beliefs to enhance your overall birthing experience. She is and stay by your side and ensure you feel safe, respected, understood, listened to, and comfortable no matter which path your birth may take.

She becomes part of your birthing team and work alongside you and birth partner(s) as well as your health provider (midwives and/or Obstetrician)

Since they are many Doulas offering their services in town, it is down to the future mother and her birth partner(s) to interview and choose someone based on their connection and ‘gut feeling’, intimate conviction that they found the right person to have by their side.

Why you may need a Doula?

I, myself, regrettably didn’t find the right Doula to be by my side for my pregnancies and births and profoundly missed this feminine and vibrant energy. Up to this day, I strongly believe a Doula could have brought this tiny little plus I needed despite having had very satisfying births.

Nevertheless, I have decided to also become a Doula myself to passionately and genuinely provide support, love and strength to women the way I would have loved a Doula to support me.

But, you may say to yourself: OK, I’ve got a great birth team already, is it necessary to have a Doula?

In fact, you may have a great doctor, heard the midwives will be great in the hospital and you also probably got an amazing husband. You’re planning to even have your sister(s) and mum, your pets by your side and all while you’re labouring at home. So here you are again wondering why would you need to use the help of an ‘extra’ person in such an intimate moment?

Well, the answer is a VERY personal one. The choice to have a Doula is before all a strong desire to connect with and rely on a birth professional on a more personal level. Doulas are usually hired by women aiming for a natural non-medicated birth experience. But not always. In addition to provide emotional support, your Doula has followed a proper training and will be able to provide you with great physical support by using some pain/discomfort management techniques and tools needed during contractions and all stages of labour.

Having a Doula joining your family into this precious time of your life can also ease the pressure off your ‘official’ birth partner’s shoulders to allow you and husband to fully relax and embrace the birthing experience not to have to worry about timing your contractions, surges or worrying on when to leave home. Taking rest, eat and drink, keep in touch with loved ones or simply breathing it out for a bit if things gets overwhelming are all of the things your birth partner could do while your Doula remain by your side.