Now offering in-person Labor & postpartum doula services. Talk with your doula today! >

Now offering in-person Labor & postpartum doula services. Talk with your doula today! >

Doulas: Everything You Need to Know

A straightforward guide to how doulas support you before, during, and after birth—and why that support matters.

Contact Us

Everything You’ve Ever Wondered About Doulas

Whether you’re expecting your first baby or growing your family, it’s completely normal to have questions about what a doula does, when to hire one, and how doula support can shape your experience. At Uptown Doula, we believe that informed families are confident families. This guide covers everything you need to know about working with a doula, helping you make the best choices for your body, your baby, and your journey into parenthood.

Schedule a Consultation

From birth to postpartum, we’re answering your most common questions so you feel informed, empowered, and supported every step of the way.

What is a doula?

Doula is a Greek word meaning a woman who serves. In modern day, the term is used to describe a birth professional who serves and supports individuals in their childbearing years.

Doulas provide individualized support in 3 very unique and unbiased ways; educationally by being equipped with evidence-based information relating to relevant topics, emotionally by understanding and recognizing the normal changes that accompany this delicate time, and by being physically present in real-time to provide comfort and relaxation.

What is the difference between a trained doula and a certified doula?

A trained doula is someone who has taken an in-person, virtual, or self-paced doula training. A certified doula is a trained doula who has aligned themselves with a professional doula certifying body and has completed the additional requirements to complete the certification process.

Depending on the doula certification organization this may include, reading/writing assignments, an extensive certification exam, acquiring CPR certification, and/or attending births/postpartum shifts and submitting client reviews.

What is the preferred doula training and certification organization?

While there are hundreds of doula training organizations that operate globally that range from large international certifying bodies to smaller, community-based programs, ProDoula is the preferred training and certification organization for doulas. Their professional, evidence based, unbiased approach to support, coupled with their standardized curriculum, streamlined certification process and on-going support make them the stand out organization amongst their peers.

Additionally, ProDoula offers business training and professional services that enable doulas to create strong, sustainable business while providing top-notch supportive services to local families.


What do doulas do?

Doulas instill strength and reduce fear for childbearing individuals by providing physical, educational, and emotional support. This support contributes to informed decision making, personal empowerment, and improved overall perceptions of birth and early parenting.


What are the different types of doulas?

There are 2 kinds of doulas; labor or birth doulas, and postpartum doulas. Labor/birth doulas focus on pregnancy, labor and birth, while postpartum doulas focus on postpartum recovery, the postpartum adjustment period, and newborn care.

How do labor or birth doulas support clients?

A labor doula is a trained professional who is physically present during labor and childbirth to provide physical, emotional and educational support.

Labor doulas or birth doulas are hired during pregnancy and spend time getting to know the expectant parents in order to bring the most comfort and support possible during labor and birth. Prenatally, doulas meet with their clients in order to assist them in organizing their wishes for the birth. In some cases, they may even help write a client’s birth plan.

Once the client’s labor begins, the doula is prepared to meet them at their home or the hospital to begin providing in-person support. This support includes but is not limited to:


  • Massage
  • Pressure
  • Counter-pressure
  • Hip squeezes
  • Vocalizations
  • Affirmations
  • Breathing techniques
  • Relaxation techniques
  • Positional changes
  • And so much more

What is a birth plan?

A birth plan is a written list of the birthing individuals wishes for their labor, birth, and early postpartum period. It typically includes their preferences regarding pain medication, interventions, newborn care and any other topic that is specific to their unique desires.


How do postpartum doulas support clients?

A postpartum doula is a trained professional who provides in-home, real-time support to families during the critical weeks and months that follow childbirth. The support is personalized to meet the unique needs of each individual and is focused on the physical recovery and emotional well-being of both the parent and the newborn.

Additionally, postpartum doulas provide evidence-based information on a wide range of post-birth and infant-related topics. Their up-to-date knowledge contributes to the empowerment of new parents, enabling them to make informed decisions for themselves and their babies with confidence.



What is the postpartum period?

The postpartum period is commonly referred to as “the fourth trimester”. It begins the moment the baby is born and lasts approximately 6 weeks. Recovery and adjustment to life as a new parent, however, can continue well beyond that time frame.



What are some of the key aspects of the postpartum period?

  • Physical recovery:



The body is healing from pregnancy and childbirth, (whether vaginal or surgical). During this time the uterus is returning to its pre-pregnancy size, hormonal shifts are occurring, wounds are healing, and the postpartum parent is managing the discomforts of post-birth bleeding, soreness, and in many cases, exhaustion.


  • Emotional and mental health: 



Mood changes, anxiety, and even postpartum depression can arise as hormone levels fluctuate and new parenting worries and responsibilities begin to set in. Emotional support during this time can be critical.


  • Bonding and newborn care: 



The new parent is attuning to their baby while also establishing feeding routines (breast and/or bottle), learning to understand cues, and developing a secure parent-child bond during this time.


  • Lifestyle adjustments:



Sleep schedules, relationship dynamics, and daily routines all change significantly during this period of time as a family works to find its new “normal”.


The significance of the postpartum period:

This period of time is not only about recovering from giving birth, it is also the beginning of new parenthood and the responsibilities associated with it can be daunting and overwhelming. How supported and informed a parent feels during the postpartum period can shape their confidence levels, their mental health, and their overall well-being throughout the years that will follow.

The postpartum period is one of the most overlooked stages of pregnancy and parenting. For this reason, support, whether from family, friends, or a trained professional such as a postpartum doulas can be vital.


When should you hire a doula?

Whether you are hiring a doula to support you during the birth of your baby, or afterwards for postpartum support, the sooner you do it, the better. Most families begin to seek the support of a doula around 20 weeks gestation. This allows for ample time to meet and consult with several doulas to narrow down your choice. Additionally, the support of the doula throughout the remainder of the pregnancy can be priceless!


What is the difference between a postpartum doula and other newborn support professionals?

Postpartum doulas offer caring, professional support for the entire family. Essentially, they are an extension of you, implementing your wishes. They are there to support you through the emotional ups and downs, physical recovery, infant feeding, as well as share helpful, real-time, evidence-based information that aligns with your parenting philosophies. Whether it is during the day, or overnight, the focus of the postpartum doula is on your recovery from birth, your baby’s adjustment to life outside of your body, and any daily household tasks that may distract from your ability to rest, recover and bond.

In contrast, night nurses and/or Newborn Care Specialists focus exclusively on the baby. They take the lead on nighttime feedings, sleep routines, and newborn care. Their role does not include support for the parents’ post birth recovery, emotional well-being, or specific learning needs.



What questions should you ask when interviewing a doula for your birth?

When meeting with a potential doula, remember that it is really important for you to feel comfortable with them. They will be with you during a very vulnerable time and you want to feel like they are a “safe person” for you. Some questions to consider asking include:
  • Are you available for our due date?
  • Do you have reliable backup in the event that you are not able to attend our birth?
  • When will we meet your back-up doula?
  • When do you come to us?
  • What are some of the ways you help eliminate fear and the discomfort of labor?
  • If my choices are different from yours, how will you handle that?
  • What part of being a doula do you enjoy most?
  • Will you support my partner in having the experience they want during my birth?
  • How confident are you in your ability to support me?

These are just a handful of questions to get you started. Focus more on how you feel during your meeting as that is what matters most, and will have the biggest impact on your experience.




What questions should you ask when interviewing a postpartum doula?

When interviewing potential postpartum doulas allow your instincts to guide you. The postpartum period is a delicate time where you are learning and navigating your “new normal” while under what can feel like a great deal of pressure.

It is crucial that you feel securely supported by your postpartum doula. Your ability to feel a strong connection with this person is essential to the effectiveness of postpartum doula support. Some questions to ask when interviewing postpartum doulas might include:
  • Are you available for our expected due date?
  • Will you have other clients around the same time our baby is born?
  • Do you have a back-up doula that you work closely with?
  • What motivates you to do postpartum doula work?
  • When your clients are feeling overwhelmed, how do you help stabilize the situation?
  • In your opinion, what is most important during the postpartum period?
  • How confident are you in your ability to help me with breastfeeding?
  • Do you have a thorough understanding of the various parenting styles/philosophies?
  • Do you have references that we can contact?

This meeting is designed for you to get a clear picture in your mind of what the postpartum/new baby experience will look like with this person’s support. Allow yourself to consider their responses but also allow yourself to experience the meeting in a way that will enable you to determine your compatibility with them. Ultimately, you must feel safe and at ease in their presence for the best possible results from their support.





Is the demand for postpartum doula support increasing?

As awareness of postpartum depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders continues to grow, more families are planning ahead by hiring the professional support of a postpartum doula. They are prioritizing their mental well-being and recognizing that doulas really make a difference.

With 1 in 7 birthing people facing postpartum depression, and even more experiencing anxiety, the need for compassionate, non-medical, unbiased support from postpartum doulas is undoubtedly on the rise.



How do postpartum doulas reduce postpartum depression and anxiety?

Postpartum doulas are specifically trained to recognize the early signs of postpartum depression and anxiety. With a desire to help “normalize” the postpartum period, the postpartum doula is there to reassure you, ease your stress and help build your confidence as you adjust to life with a new baby. The doulas calm, non-judgmental demeanor creates a safe space where you feel free to talk openly about your fears, concerns, worries and emotions. In the event that something you are experiencing falls outside of the typical range of normal adjustment, a postpartum doula can gently guide you toward the necessary mental health support.



How do postpartum doulas improve breastfeeding success?

Breastfeeding requires support and research consistently shows that having that support during the early days of breastfeeding can make a big difference in overall success rates. Postpartum doulas play a key role by providing hands-on guidance with latch, position, and feeding cues, as well as emotional encouragement when infant feeding seems overwhelming.

With a postpartum doula’s help, new parents are less likely to face common early challenges like nipple pain, concerns about low milk supply, or uncertainty about whether or not their baby is getting enough milk. This real-time, non-judgmental support helps build confidence, reduces stress, and often leads to a more positive and empowering breastfeeding experience overall.




How do labor/birth doulas reduce the need for medical intervention?

Labor, or birth doulas help reduce the need for medical interventions by providing continuous, personalized support throughout labor; something that’s often missing in busy clinical hospital birth settings. Their presence makes a difference in the following ways:
  • Emotional reassurance and calming presence: Doulas reduce anxiety, which lowers adrenaline levels and enables labor to progress. This decreases the chance of labor stalling or the need for interventions like Pitocin.
  • Physical comfort techniques: Through the use of positioning, massage, breathing techniques, and other coping strategies, doulas help manage pain often reducing requests for epidurals or other pain medication.
  • Fewer cesareans: Studies show that continuous labor support, especially from a doula, is associated with a significant decrease in the need for cesarean birth.
  • Improved birth satisfaction: With consistent support from a doula and less medical interventions, parents often feel more empowered, which results in a more positive birth experience.





Which is better: Independent doulas or agency-based doulas?

Independent doulas provide support on their own, managing everything from scheduling to contracts directly with their clients. Some families enjoy this one-on-one approach and the ability to negotiate fees or customize services. However, working with an independent doula can come with limitations. If the doula is unavailable, and there is no backup plan in place, it would be up to the family to find and vet a new doula on very short notice.

Agency-based doulas, by contrast, offer a more streamlined and dependable experience. Agencies carefully vet and select doulas to engage the services of. The typical requirements include certification, background checks, insurance, and continuing education.

If your committed agency based doula becomes unavailable, a qualified backup (who you have previously met with) will come to you and provide doula support. The agency also handles contracts, payments, and scheduling, taking the administrative burden out of the doula/client relationship and making it easier to request additional support if needed. If any issues arise, the agency can mediate or resolve concerns, so that families never have to navigate uncomfortable conversations with the doula on their own.

While doula support through a doula agency may come at a slightly higher cost, the peace of mind, structure, and professionalism it provides is often well worth the investment.




How much do doulas cost? 

The cost of hiring a doula can vary depending on your location, and the type of support you’re looking for. Additionally, because doulas set their own pricing without any official standard, there is a large range in pricing.

Doulas who lack confidence may offer lower rates, while professional doulas who have solid systems in place and a clear understanding of the depth of their commitment can rightly command significantly higher fees.

You can expect to pay between $800 - $2,500 for labor doula support and between $30 - $75 per hour for postpartum doula support.




Is doula support worth the investment?

Many doula clients find that the support, reassurance, and hands-on comfort that a doula provides pays off by improving birth outcomes, creating smoother postpartum transitions, and improving their overall emotional well-being. While doulas are typically not covered by insurance, some families use health savings accounts (HSAs), flexible spending accounts (FSAs), or seek partial reimbursement through employer wellness benefits.

If your employer offers Carrot Fertility benefits, you may be eligible for coverage of both birth and postpartum doula services.




What should you know about doula contracts?

A doula contract is a formal agreement that outlines the scope of services, fees, responsibilities, and policies for working with a doula. It helps ensure that both the client and the doula are in agreement about what is included in the outlined fee.

The doula contract sets clear expectations, and prevents any confusion. It reinforces professional standards and sets boundaries that respect all parties. Additionally, it outlines a plan for recourse in the event of one party failing to live up to the agreement.

When entering into a contract with a doula (or anyone else for that matter) always take the time to read the contract thoroughly. Never hesitate to ask for clarification or negotiate modifications before signing. A professional doula will always welcome an open conversation about the contract.




Uptown Education Center

Contact Us

Doula Services

Ready to Feel Confident and Supported?

Now that you know what doulas do and how we support growing families, let’s talk about how we can support you. Whether you’re still exploring your options or feel ready to connect, we’re here to answer your questions and guide you through the process with care and compassion.

Become an Uptown Doula Insider

Become an
Uptown Doula Insider

Get advice, tips and updates directly to your inbox by becoming a subscriber!

We respect your privacy.