If your partner will be with you during labor, they are already fulfilling a very important role. They are the person in the room who knows you and your preferences best. They are bringing an amazing tool to your labor- their love and support. But they are not your doula. A doula is an impartial third party that can support both of you during your labor.

Most partners will experience a range of emotions during labor from joy and excitement to fear and nervousness. Many will forget all of the helpful tips or tricks they learned in birth class when the pressure is on. (My husband did!) It is very difficult for someone to fully support you when they are managing their own intense emotions in a stressful setting. A doula can help you both navigate your emotions and guide you through any unexpected changes to your birth plan, allowing your partner to be fully present with you as your partner instead of as your birth attendant.

While it is important for partners to be able to support you during early labor before your doula joins you, sometimes having someone they can lean on for support is just as important! Having just a partner as a support person is sometimes referred to as The Bradley Method of birth. While it is amazing and for those that don’t have the means of getting a doula it can be wonderful, studies show that adding a doula into the mix with a supportive partner leads to even better results!

Your partner is the expert on you. A doula is the expert in birth. Together, we can create an amazing platform of support to make sure you’ve got an incredible support team around you as you prepare to meet your baby.

Want to know more about how a doula can support both the partner and you? Leave a comment or reach out.

Reference: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-for-doulas/