Doulas 101

By Matt Argento, PhD Psychologist Candidate/Postdoctoral Fellow

With NBC news recently reporting that more insurance companies and plans are covering
Doula care for people who are pregnant, I thought it might be helpful to review just what Doulas
are, what they do, how they can help, and if it’s ok to ask for help (spoiler alert, it is).

DONA is the world’s leading Doula certification organization; they define birth Doulas
as trained professionals who “provide continuous support during labor and delivery, offering
comfort measures, advocacy, and emotional support to birthing individuals and their partners.”
Many Doulas also offer postpartum support such as offering initial tips for newborn care, feeding
support, and other tips to help the entire family adjust to their new roles. What can that support
look like? Doulas offer meetings prior to delivery to help everyone involved in the delivery feel
as prepared as possible. They have most likely been through numerous births and will know all
the different steps, when they happen, and can help demystify the entire process. These meetings
however are not a dry review of a childbirth checklist. Doulas are also trained at attending to the
emotional needs of pregnant folks and new parents. They have local resources for additional
support, and they also help advocate for you. They attend the birth, knowing all of your
preferences beforehand, and fight for you and your wants and needs so that you can focus on
bringing your baby into the world.

Now, this all sounds great, but does it actually help? Short answer, yes, very much so.
One study found women who received Doula care had 52.9% lower odds of Cesarean delivery,
and 57.5% lower odds of experiencing postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety. Another
study found that women who received Doula care had 22% lower odds for preterm birth, were
13.8% less likely to have a Cesarean delivery, and saved an average of $986 from the overall
cost of their childbirth due to having less complications. In addition to these significant benefits,
women who received Doula care consistently report feeling better taken care of by their medical
team due to the advocacy that Doulas can provide. It’s an unfortunately common experience for
women in the U.S. healthcare system to not be listened to by their healthcare providers. Doulas
have the training, experience, and confidence to work alongside your care team to ensure that
your needs are met and that your preferences are prioritized.

What Doulas do not do: If you have a partner, or a trusted loved one who is supporting
you through your pregnancy, Doulas do not take the place of that person; they can actually help
that person support you even better. Doulas are an additional support that has experience and
training that allows them to support you so that you, or you and your partner, can focus on
bringing a child into the world. Doulas are not medical providers. While some healthcare
professionals seek additional training and can become Doulas as well, Doulas cannot administer
medicine, admit you to the hospital, (or wherever you decide to delivery your baby,) or conduct
medical procedures. Doulas work with your care team to support you in a time when you deserve
the most support.

Prices vary between providers; however, more Doulas are becoming in-network with
more insurance companies, and if they are not in-network many are comfortable helping you
navigate how you can submit a claim to your insurance company afterwards and seek
reimbursement.

If this sounds like something that you would be interested in, reach out to some Doula
services as they will be more than happy to answer questions, discuss options, and explore the
best ways to support you during pregnancy. You are also welcome to reach out to me and
schedule a free consult to discuss how perinatal psychology can help support you during
pregnancy and potentially prevent postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety. Below is a list
of Doula providers in the area, and additional readings that can be helpful for people who are
pregnant, or who are supporting someone who is pregnant. And finally, if you are reading this
and are pregnant, CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Doulas in the Area:
Nested and Nurtured
Kendall Bullock
Balanced Beginnings Doulas
Sanctuary Doulas and Family Care
Doulas of Boulder
Sage Birth and Wellness Collective
Doula Team of Boulder
Awakening Mother LLC

Recommended Readings:
Expecting Better by: Emily Oster
The Birth Partner by: Penny Simkin and Melissa Cheyney, PhD
Expecting Mindfully by: Sona Dimidjian, PhD, and Sherryl H. Goodman, PhD
Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn: The Complete Guide by: Penny Simkin,
Janet Whalley, Ann Keppler, Janelle Durham, and April Bolding