“One of the more positive developments in maternity care is the addition of the birth doula, who guides and supports women and their partners continuously through labor and birth. The doula usually meets with you in advance, is on call for you, arrives at your home or the hospital when you need her, and remains with you continuously, with few breaks, until after the baby is born. The doula is trained and experienced in providing emotional support, physical comfort, and nonclinical advice. They draw on their knowledge and experience as they reassure, encourage, comfort, and empathize with the laboring person. The doula also works with the partner, guiding and assisting [them] on how to help, suggesting when to use particular positions, the bath or shower, and specific comfort measures ”

- Penny Simkin, The Birth Partner

This is a personal decision that depends entirely on your goals, desires, and experience. How do you want to feel about your birth once it’s over? You’ll likely remember every moment of this day vividly for the rest of your life. For some, intuition alone will make the choice clear. If you prefer your intuition with a side of juicy data, read on.

The Evidence for Doulas

It is hard to watch someone you love go through something challenging for hours. This isn’t a marathon or another monumental feat with clear limits and familiar language—something you can train for indefinitely. What you are about to do is far more intense, demanding, and unpredictable.

The natural, physiological experience you are about to have is often seen as dangerous, risky, and something to be managed. But the truth is, birth is safe. Birth is a fundamental part of every life. Witnessing it unfold is a miracle—one your partner won’t want to miss because of fear or doubt about your safety.

Their role is to love and protect you. A doula helps them do that, allowing them to be present and support you in the best way possible.

“Even if you are well prepared, you and the pregnant person may find it difficult to apply your classroom learning in the real situation. If you are not well prepared, all the challenges of labor are baffling and anxiety producing.”

- Penny Simkin, The Birth Partner

Short answer: No!

Your childbirth decisions are yours alone. They should be heard, supported, and respected—without interference from others. A doula’s role is to support your birth and protect your story, however it unfolds.

More information can be found here The Birth Doula's Role in Perinatal Care

Your clinical caregivers play a vital role, and their responsibilities are immense. However, expecting them to provide continuous emotional, physical, and informational support isn’t realistic—that’s simply not their job or staffing structure.

We wouldn’t expect this from a surgeon, dentist, or chiropractor, nor from their support staff. And if they prioritized emotional well-being over their critical medical role, we might even be concerned.

It is required that many clinical staff rightly go home when their long shift is over, regardless of how much you have bonded, been comforted by, or confirmed your birth plan with a specific nurse, midwife, or doctor.

If you are planning a spontaneous vaginal birth, the availability most clinical care providers cannot be a top priority.

The good news? You don’t have to choose. You’re putting in the work to ensure you have all the support you need—both medically and emotionally. You truly can have it all!

Volunteer doulas are extremely helpful. I am a volunteer doula with Sutter Hospital Davis. I highly recommend a volunteer doula especially if the alternative is no doula. The difference is, as a volunteer, I do not build a report with the family, I may not be able to stay with them for the entire labor or birth, and I cannot support them laboring at home.

Volunteers are not guaranteed and might not be available at the time you need them.