Who a Doula Serves

There are a couple of different kinds of doulas, and the scope of practice is different for each one.

A labor or birth doula accompanies a woman in labor, giving her physical and emotional support, as well as information and resources so she can make the best decision for her situation and care preferences.  This kind of doula can serve all women, whether that woman wants a natural birth, a scheduled induction, a scheduled c-section, an emergency induction or c-section, a vaginal delivery with all the pain medications that contemporary medicine offers, a home birth, a water birth, a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean), a multiple birth, a birth center birth, or whatever.  All of these options can be served by a doula.

A postpartum doula serves the family (and particularly the mother) after a new child has entered the home.  This could be after a birth, or it could be a foster/adopt family with a recent infant placement.  This kind of doula helps the family as they transition - whether that is holding the baby while the mom takes a shower, being with the mom immediately after her partner returns to work, helping with light housecleaning or cooking, helping the mother process her birth experience, teaching the parents how to care for their newborn, providing resources for the family (whatever they may need), or providing childcare while the mother takes a nap.  It is all based on the needs of the client.