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So, what is a Doula?
If you've heard the word "doula" and aren't quite sure what it means, you're not alone. Most people come across the term for the first time, and it can be hard to know exactly where a doula fits in alongside midwives, health visitors, and the rest of your team. But a Doula, brings a lot more then we think and can truly impact your pregnancy and postnatal journey.
A Doula doesn't have all the answers, but has presence for sure, the type of presence you need when things look rough or confusing.
In a more formal and technical language, a doula is a trained professional who supports you through pregnancy, birth, and the early weeks with your baby.
She is not a medical professional. She doesn't deliver babies, carry out clinical assessments, or replace your midwife or consultant.
What she does is being there for you: continuously, with a comfort presence, and completely focused on you.
A doula offers emotional support, practical tips, organises the chaos of information into evidence-based guidance, tailored to every stage of your journey.
She gets to know you before your baby arrives, understands your hopes and worries, and is already a familiar, trusted presence by your side when labour begins. For many families, this continuity is the thing that makes the biggest difference.
Michel Odent
"To change the world, we must first change the way babies are being born."
What does a doula actually do?
Every doula's role looks slightly different depending on the type of support you choose, but in general a doula can support you with:
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During pregnancy: antenatal preparation, birth planning, hypnobirthing, evidence-based information about your options, birthrights, and emotional support as you approach birth.
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During labour and birth: continuous presence and support throughout labour, helping you feel empowered and informed, supporting your birth partner so they feel confident and involved, and being your steady, familiar anchor in what can be an intense and unpredictable experience.
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After your baby is born: postnatal care visits, newborn guidance, feeding support, emotional check-ins, light practical help at home, and space to reflect on your birth experience.
Overnight: night doula support so you and your partner can rest while your baby is cared for by an experienced professional, bringing you the sense of ease and safeness.
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Remotely: virtual doula support for families who would like birth preparation, antenatal guidance, or ongoing support from wherever they are in the UK.
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This is a glimpse of how a doula can help and is there for. Did you know that you also have Doulas that are focused in fertility or even bereavement? So, as you can see, we can be many things and can offer so much, helping the world to be a better, trusted and supported place.
How is a doula different from a midwife?
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This is the question most people ask first and it's a good one.
Your midwife is a qualified healthcare professional responsible for your clinical care and your baby's safety during pregnancy and birth. She may be caring for several families at once, and her focus is medical.
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Your doula is there solely for you. She has no clinical responsibilities, which means her entire attention is on your emotional experience, your comfort, and your sense of being heard and supported. She is not shared between patients. She is not called away. She stays.
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The two roles complement each other beautifully and many families find that having both makes their birth experience feel more connected, more informed, and more positive overall.
Do I need a doula? ​
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There's no single answer to this. Doula support isn't only for complicated pregnancies or difficult circumstances. Many families simply want to feel more prepared, more held, and less alone during one of the most significant transitions of their lives.
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​​You might benefit from a doula if you:
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• Want continuous, personalised support throughout pregnancy and birth
• Feel anxious about labour and want to feel more informed and calm
• Want your birth partner to feel confident and involved
• Are preparing for a caesarean and want dedicated support
• Are navigating a previous difficult birth experience
• Are expecting as a single parent and want a consistent support person
• Simply want someone in your corner who knows you, your preferences, and your story
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The evidence for doula support
Research consistently shows that continuous support during birth — the kind a doula provides — leads to better outcomes for both parent and baby. According to Evidence Based Birth, continuous support during labour is associated with a 39% decrease in the risk of caesarean birth, a 15% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth, a 10% decrease in the use of pain relief medication, and a 31% lower chance of an unsatisfying birth experience. These aren't small numbers. And they matter.
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The researchers found that overall, continuous support during birth leads to a:
If you would like to know more about the evidence behind having a doula, you can check in Evidence Based Birth.
What should I look for in a doula?
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To give you confidence that the Doula you're looking for has the right qualifications, you should look into credentials: look for a doula who has completed recognised training and is registered with a professional body such as The Doula Directory or FEDANT for example.
But beyond qualifications, the most important thing is connection. Your doula will be with you during one of the most intimate experiences of your life. You need to feel comfortable, at ease, and genuinely able to trust her. Most doulas offer a free discovery call for exactly this reason and it's a chance to meet, ask questions, and get a feel for whether the fit is right.
Take your time. Ask questions. Trust your instincts. And remember that not everyone will be aligned with you and don't stop looking until you find your right match.
I think that, better than me explaining what to look for in a Doula, have a look at this article, written by the The Doula Directory that gives you the most comprehensive and broad look about this topic.
I became a doula because I believe every person deserves to feel informed, supported, and genuinely held through pregnancy, birth and the early days of parenthood.
I am strongly believer that information is power, and I love helping you finding yours!
As a registered nurse and certified birth and postnatal doula, I bring both clinical understanding and a deeply personal approach to everything I do.
If you're curious about whether doula support might be right for you, I'd love to have a chat.
My discovery calls are free, informal, and commitment free. this is just a chance to connect and see if we're the right fit.