Doula Support

On This Page:

Overview

Virtual Doula Information Session Frank Family Birth Center

Welcoming your support team

Whether it’s your first baby or you’re adding a brother or sister to the family, having a safe, healthy and positive labor experience is what every family wants.

One option for many women and their partners is to include a doula as part of their care team.

A doula is a trained, non-medical, professional who nurtures, supports and offers guidance for families throughout labor and delivery, and after the birth. Doulas offer a wide range of services, including help with breastfeeding as well as postpartum care.

A woman stands in a floral dress, smiling while looking downwards and embracing her round, pregnant belly.

Studies show a doula’s continuous labor support benefits mom and baby in many ways. It can often mean:

• A more satisfying birth experience
• Less need for pain medications
• Less likelihood of needing a cesarean delivery
• Shorter labor

At Luminis Health, we support the inclusion of doulas as part of your care team through pregnancy, labor and delivery.

*Luminis Health uses a third party event registration service. Please note that EventBrite will be facilitating the event registration process and will handle any personal information collected in accordance with the EventBrite Privacy Policy.

overview

Tips for Finding a Doula

1. Start looking early in your pregnancy
Choosing a doula early in your pregnancy will give you time to get to know each other and get comfortable with your birth plan.

2. Talk to other families
Talking with friends who have used a doula about their experience can help you start and even narrow your search. Technology – Facebook groups, a Google search for other online groups and forums – can connect you with other moms in your area.

3. Talk with the provider who’s caring for you during your pregnancy
Let your doctor or midwife know you’re planning on having a doula as part of your labor and delivery team. And if your provider has worked with a doula in the past, they may be able to offer a recommendation.

4. Check with doula certification programs
Most programs offer national, and even global, online directories of certified doulas that you can search by location.

5. Interview potential doulas
You not only want to gather important information about them and their background, but you also need to get a feel for whether your personalities are a good fit.

6. Know your Healthcare Coverage
Reach out to your insurance provider to see if they cover the cost of having a doula by your side during childbirth. Also, don’t forget about your HSA/FSA accounts– they may chip in to help cover those expenses, giving you some extra peace of mind during this special time.

7. Trust your gut
When you choose someone to provide any service, there’s no doubt experience and technical skills are must-haves. But soft skills, such as communication, empathy and teamwork, come into play too. Pay attention to how you connect with and feel when you’re with them. No one knows you and what you need better than you do. Listen to and follow your instincts.

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Resources & Forms

If you are a family interested in learning more about finding a doula in the community or if you are a doula who would like to become registered with Luminis Health, please see our resources below.

We also offer classes for both families and doulas to come together and connect over how a doula can be part of your birth plan.

Guidelines for Doulas and Families Doula Intake Form

Back-up Doula Intake Form

DoulaMatch

Birth & Baby

Guidelines for Doulas and Families Doula Intake Form Back-up Doula Intake Form

DoulaMatch

Birth & Baby