What Is a Doula? Everything You Need to Know About Birth Support

Written By LaNayah Pollard
Tampa Doula - Doula supporting a pregnant woman with comfort measures and labor positions

Doulas provide emotional and physical support to help you feel confident during birth. Photo by Duda Oliveira

Doulas Do More Than You Think

If you’ve ever wondered, “What exactly does a doula do?”—you’re not alone. Many people hear the word doula and assume we’re midwives or that we “deliver babies.” But here’s the truth: Doulas don’t deliver babies—mothers do.

A doula is a trained professional who provides non-medical support during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. We focus on the physical, emotional, and informational well-being of birthing people, making sure you feel empowered, informed, and fully supported every step of the way.

Whether you’re planning a hospital birth, home birth, epidural, or C-section, a doula can be an essential part of your birth team. Keep reading to learn what doulas do, the benefits of having one, and how to find the right doula for your journey.

What Does a Doula Do?

A doula’s role is to provide continuous support before, during, and after birth. Unlike doctors or midwives, doulas do not provide medical care—but we enhance your experience by helping you navigate labor with confidence.

Doulas Provide Support in 4 Key Ways:

1. Physical Support

Doulas use hands-on techniques to help with labor comfort, including:

  • Massage and counter pressure to ease the intensity of contractions

  • Assisting with movement and positioning for a smoother labor

  • Using tools like birth balls and rebozos to promote comfort

2. Emotional & Mental Support

Birth is as much a mental experience as it is physical. Doulas help by:

  • Providing reassurance and encouragement when labor gets intense

  • Helping partners stay involved and confident in their role

  • Creating a calm and supportive birth environment

3. Informational Support

We make sure you feel informed and prepared by:

  • Explaining the stages of labor and what to expect

  • Breaking down medical terms and procedures in an easy-to-understand way

  • Helping you navigate birth plans, interventions, and decision-making

4. Postpartum Support

Doulas don’t just leave after birth—we also provide early postpartum care, including:

  • Assistance with infant feeding and newborn care

  • Guidance on physical and emotional recovery after birth

  • Helping new parents adjust to life with a baby

What Don’t Doulas Do

There are many misconceptions about what doulas actually do, so let’s clear up a few things. Doulas do not replace doctors, midwives, or nurses—instead, we work alongside your medical team to provide additional support. We don’t make decisions for you either; our role is to help you understand your options so you can make informed choices that feel right for you. Lastly, we don’t have an agenda when it comes to your birth preferences. Whether you choose an epidural, an unmedicated birth, a home birth, or a hospital birth, our only goal is to support YOUR decisions and ensure you feel empowered throughout the process.

Benefits of Having a Doula

Research shows that having a doula can lead to better birth experiences and outcomes. Studies have found that:

  • Decrease in the use of labor-inducing medications

  • Lower risk of C-section

  • Less chance of being dissatisfied with your birth experience

  • Shorter labor times and fewer medical interventions

Beyond the statistics, doulas provide emotional security, hands-on support, and personalized care—things that are often missing in standard maternity care.

Who Should Hire a Doula?

A doula is for anyone who wants additional support during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

Doulas are especially helpful if:

  • You want to feel more confident and informed about birth

  • You have concerns about hospital policies or medical interventions

  • You or your partner want extra guidance and reassurance

  • You’re preparing for a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean)

  • You want continuous support from someone trained in birth

Where Do Doulas Work?

Doulas can support births in any setting, including:

🏥 Hospitals – Helping you navigate medical environments with confidence
🏡 Home Births – Working alongside midwives in a familiar, comfortable space
🏩 Birth Centers – Supporting natural birth in a home-like setting
🩺 C-Sections & Medicated Births – Advocating for you and providing emotional & physical comfort

Do You Need a Doula?

If you’re preparing for birth and wondering if a doula is right for you, the answer is simple: If you want extra support, a doula can make a huge difference.

Doulas provide physical comfort, emotional reassurance, and unbiased information so you can walk into birth feeling prepared and powerful.

Interested in working with a doula? Let’s talk! Contact me to learn how I can support your birth journey.

LaNayah Pollard