FAQs & Common Concerns

Birth is very personal and intimate so why would I want another person there?

Yes birth is personal and intimate and a very special time in your life so sharing it with someone that you currently do not know may seem like an odd thing to want to do. What many first time parents do not realise is that when you give birth in a hospital, the midwife or the Obstetrician is not with you for the entire labour. They check on you regularly but they are also looking after other women in labour at the same time as you, therefore they are only with you when they are required to be.

Having a doula present will reduce your need for a midwife to help you with menial things such as fetching towels and blankets. A doula is also someone who will provide you constant reassurance as you need it and uninterrupted physical support. She is present to serve you and your partner only


A doula is a stranger, why would I want a stranger at my birth?

By the time you give birth you will know your doula and have a relationship with her. She will not be a stranger. Everyone else at your birth will likely be a stranger. It is unlikely you will know your midwives and in some cases your Obstetrician (if using one) before you arrive at the hospital. You also have shift changes to contend with with hospital Midwives. With a doula, she stays with you for the entire labour from the time you need her until you are happy for her to leave.

Having a doula present will reduce your need for a midwife to help you with menial things such as fetching towels and blankets. A doula is also someone who will provide you constant reassurance as you need it and uninterrupted physical support. She is present to serve you and your partner only

Will my doula take over my partners role?

No, not at all, doulas support the dad in supporting his partner. No one knows the labouring woman as well as her partner therefore he is the one she needs for her support. A doula will see to the needs of the labouring woman that are not being met and she provides the father with emotional support and reassurance. Often dads need a bit of encouragement and guidance to know how to support a labouring woman, a doula can provide this.
Research has found that women who have a doula at their birth have a greater sense of satisfaction in their partners role in the birth and a greater sense of satisfaction of their partners in the weeks after birth.

Will my doula advocate for me in labour?

Ideally, this is something you and your partner should be doing however many women and their partners feel intimidated by the medical environment and agree to anything regardless of their original intentions. I will help you communicate with your medical care-givers if required however, I do encourage you to write a birth plan prior to labour and I assist you in doing this. A birth plan (or wish list) is a legal document that your primary care-giver signs off on that details your wishes for your birth. The people looking after your medical needs during labour must adhere to this birth plan as much as possible in a non-emergency situation. This is an excellent way of asserting yourself in labour.

What if I want pain relief (narcotics) or an induction? Will my doula support that?

I will support you whatever your birth choices are. I wholeheartedly believe that birth is as personal and individual as you are and that sometimes women want inductions and narcotics or caesarian sections. As long as your decisions are informed (and I can supply you unbiased information so that this is so), then I will support you and your right to choose how you want to birth.

Wouldn’t a doula affect our family bonding time?

I recognise the need for space and bonding time in birth. As soon as your medical care givers leave you after birth I will do the same for about half an hour or so to give you family time. I will then check on you again and if you no longer need me, I will leave you for the day. If you do need me then I stay with you until you are happy for me to leave.