Imagine you arrive at the hospital with your partner and your doula, and as you enter triage, the doula who has been supporting you at home is not allowed to enter. The doula you paid to support you during labor is sitting in the waiting room even though you said you preferred for her to be with you. Policy once again was more important than a laboring woman's needs. This is just one example, but I am (and I believe all doulas are) constantly frustrated as we see this happeni

Doulas are known to be a great help for moms who want a unmedicated birth, but what if that is not what you are planning? A lot of families feel that doulas are not necessary if they know they will have an epidural. The benefits of a doula's support go beyond those of just supporting an unmedicated birth! Prenatal support- Regardless of the type of birth you choose, doulas offer valuable information, resources, and emotional support while you are pregnant. Doulas can answer

Welcome to the first of a blog series, "Do I need a doula if...?" As a doula, I highly encourage you to take a childbirth class. You will learn the normal process of birth, the choices and options you have, and some about interventions and birth support. Doulas often do not have time in prenatals to cover all that you will learn in a childbirth class. So why do you still need a doula? * Childbirth classes can not cover every aspect or situation that may arise during birth.