Birth doulas are trained in the normal process, anatomy and physiology of birth. They use a variety of methods to infuse the birth experience with calm, peace and unconditional support. A great deal of work is done prenatally to establish a trusting relationship with clients and enhance their intuition, knowledge and confidence in the birth process.
Support can be provided in both home and hospital births to all people regardless of their particular choices about how their birth will unfold. Doulas offer continuous support and individualized strategies for comfort throughout labor and they can help facilitate conversations with medical providers to ensure birthing people know their options in order to provide informed consent.
Numerous studies have shown that impartial, continuous doula support during labor can increase the satisfaction of the experience for both the birthing person and their partner as well as reduce the need for augmentation, instrumental intervention or surgical birth.
Because birth doulas are hired directly by the clients they will be working with, they answer only to them. They are able to support birthing people without distraction or conflicts of interest within any particular system.