The Role of a Doula: Support Through Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum | Chicago Muslim Birth Doula Chicago Muslim Postpartum Doula

Pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period are some of the most transformative times in a person’s life. The journey is marked by immense joy but can also bring challenges and uncertainties. This is where a doula steps in—to provide unwavering support tailored to the unique needs of each individual and family. Let’s explore the essential role of a doula, address common misconceptions, and highlight the proven benefits of having a doula by your side.

What Does a Doula Do?

A doula is a trained professional who provides emotional, physical, and informational support during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. Unlike medical providers, doulas focus solely on enhancing the birthing person’s overall experience. Here’s a closer look at their role during each stage:

Pregnancy: Doulas help clients prepare for birth by providing evidence-based information on options, discussing birth preferences, and addressing fears or concerns. They may also teach relaxation techniques and suggest exercises or positions to promote comfort and readiness for labor.
Birth: During labor, a doula offers continuous support, which can include massage, breathing techniques, positional suggestions, and reassurance. They act as an advocate, ensuring the birthing person’s wishes are respected while fostering clear communication with the medical team.
Postpartum: After the baby arrives, a doula assists with the emotional and physical recovery process. This support can include guidance on newborn care, breastfeeding assistance, and helping the family adjust to their new dynamic.

Doulas vs. Midwives: What’s the Difference?

While both doulas and midwives play crucial roles in the birthing process, their responsibilities are distinct. A midwife is a trained healthcare provider who delivers babies and provides prenatal and postnatal care. They are medically focused, ensuring the health and safety of both the birthing person and the baby.

In contrast, a doula does not perform clinical tasks like monitoring fetal heart tones or delivering babies. Instead, they focus on the non-clinical aspects of support—helping clients feel empowered, informed, and emotionally supported. Together, doulas and midwives can create a harmonious team that balances medical expertise with holistic care.

The Benefits of Hiring a Doula

Research consistently shows that having a doula can lead to better outcomes for birthing people and their babies. According to a 2017 Cochrane review, continuous support during labor—such as that provided by a doula—is associated with:

A 39% reduction in the risk of cesarean birth (Bohren et al., 2017).
A 15% increase in the likelihood of spontaneous vaginal birth (Bohren et al., 2017).
A 10% decrease in the use of pain medications (Bohren et al., 2017).
A 38% decrease in the baby’s risk of a low five-minute Apgar score (Bohren et al., 2017).

Beyond these statistics, the emotional benefits are equally profound. Doulas provide a calming presence, help reduce anxiety, and foster a sense of empowerment and confidence in the birthing person and their family.

Why a Doula Can Make All the Difference

Pregnancy, birth, and postpartum are deeply personal experiences, and every individual deserves to feel supported and respected throughout their journey. A doula’s role is to meet you where you are, helping you navigate the challenges and celebrate the joys with compassion and expertise. Whether you’re planning a home birth or a hospital delivery, a medicated or unmedicated labor, a doula can be your advocate, cheerleader, and trusted companion every step of the way.

Are you considering adding a doula to your birth team? Let’s connect and discuss how we can work together to create a positive and empowering birth experience tailored to your needs.

Sources:

Bohren, M. A., Hofmeyr, G. J., Sakala, C., Fukuzawa, R. K., & Cuthbert, A. (2017). Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (7), CD003766. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003766.pub6

About Salam Birth Services

Hey there, I'm Lana, the human behind Salam Birth Services! I'm a Chicago-based birth photographer, doula and childbirth educator covering mainly the Western, Northwestern and Southwestern suburbs, but feel free to reach out if you live outside those borders to enquire about my availability.

You can find me on Instagram , or you can get in touch here by sending a message!

Childbirth Education, Birth DoulaLana Abu-ShaheenJanuary 15, 2025doula, midwife, role of a doula, benefits

Should You Write a Birth Plan For Your Birth? | Chicago Birth Doula Chicago Muslim Birth Photographer

As a birth doula, I am here to debunk the myth that you can’t plan for birth - because you absolutely can and you absolutely should! Now, let’s talk about being prepared for ALL possibilities and advocating for your birth rights.

If you’re planning an elective caesarean, have you prepared a plan in case you have a spontaneous or fast natural labor? If you’re planning to birth at home, do you have a plan in case you need to transfer to the hospital? Being prepared is key to a positive birth experience, and don’t be intimidated by planning for unideal circumstances; you’re not calling for a “bad outcome” by planning for it. On the contrary, you are making sure you get the best outcome out of an unwanted situation. You are making sure your most important needs are met during your birth experience.

Your needs are what your heart, mind and body desire in order to feel safe and heard, for example: asking for consent before any procedures are performed, feeling heard, feeling respected, not being disturbed or rushed.

Your wants are what you include on your documented birth plan. Things like your preferences around epidural use, labor positions, pain management, golden hour preferences, newborn procedures, etc. When putting together your birth plan, I encourage you to dig deep, and discuss with your care provider your needs AND your wants so that you can have all bases covered. We plan for our ideal pathways in all aspects of life, so why should birth be any different? Don’t let societal norms make you feel “difficult” for planning ahead. You may want your birth to go a certain way, and when you focus on your needs, which are your inner feelings, then what you want will follow.

Remember, there is always a birth plan in place, and if it’s not yours, then it will be someone else’s. So be sure to communicate what you need to safeguard your experience. Treat your birth plan as a roadmap, and be ready to pivot, if necessary. As long as your needs are met, it will make the process of achieving your wants much more palatable.