What exactly does a doula do? Are you getting one?

My friend told me about getting a vaginal massage during delivery to avoid cutting.

Does the doula do this massage?

What exactly does a doula do? How much do they cost?

Re: What exactly does a doula do? Are you getting one?

i had one with my first. yes i think i remember she DID do the vaginal massage. i still tore lol. (he was a big baby).. she also brought in lavendar scents and massaged my feet and kept me clean and dry.. she was like my own private nurse.. it was great. helped me with the breathing ect.... i don't remember what it cost though.. i was in labor for 24 hours and she stayed the whole time.

Re: What exactly does a doula do? Are you getting one?

A doula...

Recognizes birth as a key life experience that the mother will remember all her life...

Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor...

Assists the woman and her partner in preparing for and carrying out their plans for the birth...

Stays by the side of the laboring woman throughout the entire labor...

Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, an objective viewpoint and assistance to the woman in getting the information she needs to make good decisions...


Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and clinical careproviders...

Perceives her role as one who nutures and protects the woman's memory of her birth experience.

The acceptance of doulas in maternity care is growing rapidly with the recognition of their important contribution to the improved physical outcomes and emotional well-being of mothers and infants.

Click here for more info


As for the massage, it is called perineal massage. Not all doulas do it. My sister was delivred by an OB and they did it when she was delivering with mineral oil and she didn't tear.

I know my midwives will also do perineal massage during the delivery to prevent/minimize tearing.

I am not getting one since I am having a home birth with multiple midwives and nurses present, I don't need teh extra support.

If I was delivering in a hospital setting or with an OB I would 100% get one.

Doulas have a great succes rate of lowering incidences of medical intervention, medicinal intervention and lower c-section rates.

They are a great source of strength adn support for a laboring woman andher partner. Most Doulas have had children of their own so they have personal experience.

Re: What exactly does a doula do? Are you getting one?

they sound AMAZING!! How much does one usually cost??

Re: What exactly does a doula do? Are you getting one?

the cost varies depending on the doula.... I have seen anywhere from $150 and up depending on the amount of services. You can also hire a doula to come to yoru home for a few hours a day and help you with everyday tasks inteh house and some help with the baby.

You should be able to find a list of nationally recognized doula providers from teh link I posted above.

I would email a bunch in your area and get a list or prices and services etc.

Re: What exactly does a doula do? Are you getting one?

Re: What exactly does a doula do? Are you getting one?

Posted by mpetretti

Posted by Blissful

the cost varies depending on the doula.... I have seen anywhere from $150 and up depending on the amount of services. You can also hire a doula to come to yoru home for a few hours a day and help you with everyday tasks inteh house and some help with the baby.

You should be able to find a list of nationally recognized doula providers from teh link I posted above.

I would email a bunch in your area and get a list or prices and services etc.

Thanks Maria- YOU ROCK

Re: What exactly does a doula do? Are you getting one?

Re: What exactly does a doula do? Are you getting one?

My doula is $500. We used her with DD and plan to use her for this birth as well. IMO if you don't plan to have an all natural birth it's not really worth the cost.

Re: What exactly does a doula do? Are you getting one?