You Deserve a Doula is a campaign to let you know about the benefits of having a doula’s support during pregnancy and promote policy for Medicaid reimbursement. We’re here to answer all of your questions about doula services, so scroll down for life-saving information, and if you still have questions, reach out to us to find out more.
What Is A Doula?
A doula is a professional trained in childbirth education that provides continuous physical, emotional, and educational support — but not medical care — to a pregnant person before, during, and/or after childbirth, in and outside of hospital settings. A doula is not the same as a midwife. While both midwives and doulas often work together, their roles are quite different, as a midwife is a trained health professional that provides medical care to a pregnant person and their baby. That said, both doulas and midwives (and doctors and nurses!) can work together to make sure birthing families are fully supported through pregnancy, labor, birth, and the post-partum period.
Doulas can be very important members of your pregnancy journey. They offer non-judgmental support, guidance, evidence-based education, and hands-on support during birth, which can include comfort measures like massage and breathing exercises. Doulas have the power to change outcomes for birthing families. This is especially true for Black mothers, who disproportionately experience more maternal health complications than others, and who often report not feeling seen, respected or listened to before, during, or after birth!
Doulas have been shown to help reduce postpartum mood disorders. One study found that birthing people supported by a doula 57.5% lower odds of postpartum depression and anxiety.
Doulas have been shown to improve rates of breastfeeding success. Those that birthed with a doula have been shown to have higher rates of breastfeeding initiation and continue breastfeeding through the six week mark.
This is just the tip of the iceberg.
Finding a doula can seem overwhelming, but there are many different ways to find the right doula for you. Often people find a doula by word of mouth, but there are also a few directories you can use to find a doula in your area. Louisiana is in the process of developing a formal doula registry, so keep an eye out for that, as well.
Word of Mouth
Speak with your friends, family, OB/GYN, or your midwife for recommendations. You can also search for doula and midwife groups on Facebook. If you’re in Louisiana try “Doulas & Midwives of Color Louisiana” or “Louisiana Doulas.” You can also search hashtags like #DoulaSupport or #PregnancySupport on Instagram.
Directories
National Black Doulas Association
It’s important to remember that each doula is unique, so take time to think about why you want a doula and what your expectations are for your experience with one. After finding doulas in your area, take time to interview a few people to see who is the best fit for you and your family.
We’ve compiled a list of different resources about doulas, pregnancy, and birth. There are many more resources out there, but here are a few options to get you started.
Here at the Institute of Women & Ethnic Studies we strive to make sure that every birthing person who wants to have a doula has access to one by sharing information, engaging community and listening, advocating for policy change around maternal justice issues, and forming meaningful collaborations. This work couldn’t happen without our funders, the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs and without our partners (listed below), who we are very proud to work with:
Speaking of, support our partners at Birthmark by purchasing a Black Birth Matters shirt!
Birthmark provides services on a sliding scale, sometimes at no cost to the birthing family, so with each shirt sold, you’re helping to support a family in need of a doula.
After hearing about how vital doulas are, are you ready to take action — large or small — to make sure everyone that wants a doula can have one?
We’re in the middle of the 2024 Louisiana Legislative Session and there are five bills this session that can positively impact maternal health. Follow the link below to learn more about what our legislators are up to to ensure the health and wellbeing of birthing people in Louisiana, then call or write to your legislators and let them know what matters to you!