No one ever said giving birth was easy — it's physically draining, mentally taxing, and emotionally overwhelming. But research shows that doulas are significantly linked with a positive (and maybe even easier) birthing experience, and their support ultimately leads to improved birth outcomes. It sounds like a parent's dream, but what exactly does a doula do? And are doulas covered by health insurance? A doula is a non-clinical care provider who offers emotional and physical support , education, and advocacy tools to the birthing person and their partner, says Latham Thomas, a birth doula and founder of Mama Glow.
"They're professionals who come in to do the extra handholding because they know how to navigate the terrain of the birthing spaces, whether that's a hospital, birthing center, or home birth," she says. "Doulas are like a cheerleader for your birth." On a broader scale, there are various types of trained doulas who support people through major life transitions , including birth, postpartum, menstruation, abortion, and bereavement , Thomas says.
It's a role that has evolved over the ages, but having a name for it and professionalizing the work has brought awareness to the field and the major benefits it has to offer, she explains. Every doula is different, but the overarching intention is to create a judgment-free environment during an otherwise hectic and overwhelming time, says Kristin Revere, a birth doula and owner of Gold Coast Doulas. How you utilize a doula i.