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You are here: Home / Become a doula / Who Do You Benefit When You Become a Doula? Everyone!

Who Do You Benefit When You Become a Doula? Everyone!

March 23, 2017

Who Do You Benefit When You Become a Doula? Everyone!

This year’s theme for #worlddoulaweek is “doulas benefit everyone!” Have you thought about how many people you will benefit when you become a doula?

We might be just a little biased, but we think doulas are pretty awesome.

After all, the presence of a doula during labor can help lessen the chance of having a c-section, decrease pain during childbirth, shorten the duration of the labor, and help women feel better about their birth experience. In the weeks and months after childbirth, doulas help families have a smooth transition as they welcome a new baby into their home. World Doula Week is a perfect excuse to celebrate both seasoned doulas and those who are working to become a doula.

World Doula Week takes place from March 22-28, and this year’s theme is “Doulas Benefit Everyone.”

You may not realize just how far reaching your impact will be when you become a doula. Doulas don’t just benefit moms and babies. In previous posts, we have talked about how doulas can be an asset for dads, siblings, and doctors. Today, let’s explore how doulas benefit the wider community.

Who will you benefit when you become a doula?

Midwives

One of the common questions you will find yourself answering when you become a doula is “that’s sort of like a midwife, right?” Well, no. However, doulas do work closely with midwives. Like obstetricians, midwives are often splitting their care and attention between more than one laboring woman. Also, although their approach is different from OB’s, midwives are focused on the physical aspects of the delivery. Doulas stay with one client at a time and focus on emotional support. Since the presence of a doula leads to shorter births, and a lower rate of c-sections, this creates a better experience for the midwife as well. Better birth outcomes reflect well on everyone involved in the process.

Grandparents

Grandparents of a brand-new baby are often in a tough spot. They may want to help their daughter or son when baby comes home but are unable to due to distance or time restrictions. That’s where the postpartum doula comes in. Grandparents will have peace of mind knowing that their family is being well cared for. As an added benefit, when they come to visit, grandparents will be able to focus on having quality time with their family – the doula will already be on top of household tasks.

Who Will You Benefit When You Become a Doula? Everyone!

Hospitals and Birth Centers

Not to be-labor the point (see what I did there?), but as mentioned above, the presence of a doula during childbirth is associated with better outcomes for mom and baby. Hospitals and birth centers will be able to report on these positive outcomes, which will improve their overall statistics. Similarly, if the mother leaves her place of birth feeling great about the experience, she is more likely leave positive feedback and recommend it to her friends. It’s a win-win for everyone.

Other Doulas

“Doula” may not quite be a household word just yet. But, there’s no question that doulas are becoming more and more popular. We have the many doulas who went ahead of us to thank for that. When you become a doula, you will also be blazing a trail for future doulas. As we continue to showcase our amazing work, there will be more and more opportunities available. Soon, we may find doulas in every labor and delivery room and in the homes of every new family.

Communities

After you finish working with your clients, they may not remember exactly what you did. However, they will remember how you made them feel. They’ll remember the love and empathy you used to support them. This will help create a solid foundation for their parenting journey and they will carry it with them for a long time. As you support more and more families, there will be more and more people carrying this feeling of love forward.

As you can see, your impact will be far-reaching when you become a doula! You will be providing an invaluable service to so many. Keep spreading the doula love during World Doula Week and beyond.

Aliza Juliette Bancoff
Author: Aliza Juliette Bancoff

Aliza Juliette Bancoff is a well-known doula and doula trainer who has been providing doula services to families for over a decade. She is the founder of Main Line Doulas, a doula group providing doula support in the great Philadelphia area for the last decade, the International Doula Institute, which provides online doula training and lactation training and certification programs and  the International Breastfeeding Institute which provides lactation training and certification.   She is the co-founder of United Birth, a company devoted to increasing access to doulas across the country to make the perinatal time safer both physically and emotionally. “Every birthing person deserves access to quality doula support. And we are working to make that a reality across the country. The work we are doing to get doulas to every birthing person will decrease the black infant and maternal mortality rate significantly by 2030.” Says Bancoff. Aliza is known for her compassionate and empowering approach to doula work, and she has been featured in numerous media outlets, including United Nations Maternal Health Report,  Parent Magazine, CafeMom, theBump and many more. Aliza's journey into doula work began when she gave birth to her first child and felt a strong calling...

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Tracy tells us,
“This course was informative and educational. I enjoyed learning how to become a doula.”

Patricia shared, 
“This course was great. I loved how easy it is to use, as someone who is not very technologically inclined. The coursework was challenging and I learned so much. My instructor was always very easy to reach and very responsive to any issues I had. I loved being able to work at my own pace and skip around a bit. Videos are hard for me as I am very self-conscious so it was nice to be able to postpone them for a bit until I could really practice and feel my best. ”

Judith shared, 
“The instructors and course materials/videos were all so wonderful and informative. I truly feel very well equipped with all the knowledge and tools I now have to start as a full spectrum doula with multiple certifications under my belt. Thank you, IDI, from the bottom of my heart. My true passion is blossoming before my very eyes!”

Miranda tells us, 
“I started my training at IDI almost a year ago. The courses have given me exactly what I needed to become a confident doula! After looking at several different doula training programs I decided on IDI because I have two young children and could work at my own pace online. I also really liked that the curriculum was contributed to by different backgrounds and trainings, not only from one perspective. This program has offered more to me than I ever could have thought! Not only have I learned how to support Moms and families through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum but I’ve been given tools in growing my reach and communication… just to name a few. There’s also huge support from other doulas in the program. I recommend this program to future doulas!”

Mary says, 
“Started my journey (with admitted fear) only a month ago and felt immediately at ease! This program is very fluid. Work at your own pace. Easy to reach help and support the whole way through. Everything you need to know to hit the ground running with confidence once certified.”

Brenda tells us, 
“My name is Brenda and I have been studying with IDI for a while now, looking forward to the Postpartum course also. I have found the studies, books, and information to feel well rounded in information and comprehensive. I love all the books they have chosen for my studies. Also, the opportunity to be hands-on with the additional class, interviews, videos, and Moms-to-be. This is a part of the program that brings all the reading, studying…everything to light! The teachers are kind, understanding and obviously VERY experienced and can guide and support me throughout this wonderful journey of certification to be a “Doula” I’m so happy I chose IDI to be my training! Thank you!!!! I look forward to the future!♡”

Joyce says, 
“I love being a student with IDI!”

Laura tells us,
” Easy to do at my own pace, good supplemental readings. ”

Hannah tells us,
” Hey this is Hannah! I’m SOO excited to have finished my courses & have become a CERTIFIED DOULA! I almost can’t believe I have that title, with my name!!! This has been a lifelong dream. I’m very grateful to have been able to do it online, as I am a stay-at-home mom to 7 amazing children. It was very convenient for me to work on, as I had quiet time, during my little’s naps. Having been through labor, birth & breastfeeding stages of my life, helped tremendously. However, it was a very practical course & easy to understand the instructions. I highly recommend IDI to anyone who is interested in becoming a doula!! Thank you, IDI!!! ”

Tatyana says,
“I enjoyed everything about this course. Very informative and detailed.”

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