What Doulas Wish People Knew Before Hiring One
We’re More Than “Extra Help”
When people first hear the word doula, they often think about massages during labor or someone holding your hand while you breathe through contractions. And yes—we do that! But doulas offer so much more than hands-on comfort.
We support you emotionally, mentally, physically, and informationally throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. We help you understand your options, feel more confident, and feel less alone. We’re part educator, part guide, part translator, part cheerleader, and part calm-in-human-form.
If you’re thinking about hiring a doula, here’s what I truly want you to know.
You Don’t Need to “Know What You Want” Before Hiring Us
Something I hear often from people during consultations is “I’m not really sure what to ask or say; this is my first time reaching out to a doula.” First, you’re not alone! Second, it’s perfectly okay not to know every single thing.
You don’t need a birth plan.
You don’t need to have chosen a provider.
You don’t need to know how you want to give birth.
That’s literally what we’re here for!
Whether your vision is crystal clear or totally blurry, we help you get clarity in a way that feels grounded, not overwhelming.
We Support ALL Births—Not Just “Natural” Ones
Doulas aren’t only for unmedicated births.
Many of us support:
epidurals
inductions
cesareans
VBACs
planned C-sections
birth center or home births
hospital births
births that change directions
A doula’s job isn’t to push a certain type of birth… It’s to support your birth– however it unfolds.
We’re Not a Replacement for Your Partner
We’re not coming in to take over. We’re coming in to make your partner feel more confident, more prepared, and more included. We help partners know what to do, how to advocate, and how to feel calm in a moment that can feel big, emotional, and overwhelming.
Think of us as the team member who helps the whole room feel grounded.
We Offer Nonjudgmental Support… Truly
You want an epidural? Great.
You want to try unmedicated? I’ll help you prep.
You want to bottle-feed? Wonderful.
You want to breastfeed? Let’s talk about how to make it work.
Doulas don’t come with an agenda. We come with support, options, and evidence-based guidance—not judgment.
We Help You Advocate Without Being the “Voice” For You
Sometimes parents assume doulas speak for them in the hospital. That’s actually not our role.
What we do is teach you and help you know:
what questions to ask
how to express your preferences
how to understand what doctors and nurses mean
how to make decisions that align with your values
How to recocgnize when decisions are working against your plan
We empower you to confidently use your own voice.
We’re There for the Messy Parts, Too
Yes, the beautiful moments are amazing.
But doulas also support you during:
fears
overwhelm
unexpected news
tears
big decisions
relationship stress
postpartum emotions
Your doula is the person you can text when you’re spiraling, confused, or exhausted. That support matters more than anything.
Every Family Deserves Support
The biggest thing doulas wish families knew?
You don’t have to go through pregnancy, birth, or postpartum without a village.
You deserve to feel informed, supported, and cared for every step of the way.
And a doula is one of the best ways to build that sense of grounding and confidence—whether this is your first baby or your fifth.
Feeling Like You Want a Doula in Your Corner? Let’s Chat!
If you’ve been thinking about hiring a doula, or you’re curious if support might make your pregnancy or postpartum feel lighter, I’d love to connect!
👉 Book a free 30-minute consultation and let’s see if we’re a great fit.
Your journey deserves support that feels warm, grounded, and truly personalized.
