There are many different types of doulas, and we’re going to highlight three of them.
Birth Doulas
This is the type of doula you are most likely to hear about. Birth doulas support you through labor and delivery by providing emotional, mental, & physical support during childbirth. During pregnancy, birth doulas offer evidence-based education and help birthing people create their birth plans. Most birth doulas offer at least one postpartum visit.
Postpartum Doula
Postpartum doulas support you during the postpartum period and help parents adjust to their new roles. A postpartum doula provides additional resources and professional advice that you need during this time in a holistic way that helps out the whole family. Some of their duties may include sibling care, baby care, household tasks and errand-running, and well-rounded support for the birthing person.
Full Spectrum Doula
A full spectrum doula supports you during the full spectrum of pregnancy – from preconception, to birth, to the postpartum period, and they are also able to help in the case of a miscarriage or adoption.
For some people the idea of having a doula seems like a luxury service or it may feel out of reach, but there are many different ways you can pay for a doula’s services. In many states, including Louisiana, doula services can be paid through public insurance or private insurance, so check with your insurance provider to see if it’s a covered benefit.
You can also pay for doula services out-of-pocket. Every doula is different, and some providers offer free services or prices on a sliding scale, so make sure to ask during your search. There are also grants - like this opportunity from Baby Dove called the Black Birth Equity Fund - that can help you pay for your doula.