Co-written by Hallie Greider, CCE, CD(DONA) and Jordan Saalfrank, MSW, CD(DONA)
A potential concern of yours could be that having a doula might relegate the birth partner to a secondary or even a negligible role. This is a very reasonable worry. Let me assure you that this is not the case. One of the doula's primary goals is to help the partner feel more connected, more involved, and more indispensable. The doula will help guide the support and comfort measures used to include the birth partner in the ways that make the mother feel most encouraged and taken care of, and the support person free to be 'in the moment' with their loved one. Often doulas will intuitively comfort a mother, and the partner is then more aware and empowered to mimic the words and methods of encouragement.
Having a doula will help free the partner up to focus their strengths as a partner, and just be who the woman needs them to be. When the partner feels more certain, the woman feels more certain. Doulas come alongside the partner, and everyone else present for that matter, to help the mother feel safe, to be able to let go of herself and her thoughts, to be truly in her body. This is how a woman becomes free to do whatever she needs to do to birth her baby!
