If there is one thing that has remained constant since the beginning of humankind, it has got to be the experience of having a baby. Carrying forward the sacred tradition of providing help to birthing bodies, doulas, till date, support people through fertility struggles, pregnancy, labor/birth and postpartum.
Not many people are aware of this tradition today. Others believe many misconceptions revolve around their work responsibilities. But the likes of them continue to extend their support for the betterment of new families by offering education-based workshops and classes for in-person care/support during the birthing journey.
To help you steer clear of these misconceptions, Mama Doula Canada has debunked some of the most widely believed myths about Doula services.
Myth 1: I have a midwife, so I don’t need a doula
This myth comes from misinformation. Doulas and midwives provide integrative care while doing different roles in one’s pregnancy journey and birthing experience. Midwives are primary care providers with clinical responsibilities of caring for the pregnant/birthing person and their babies. That involves (among many other things) performing/requesting clinical exams and procedures, doing a lot of paperwork, prescribing medication, assessing, monitoring during labor, “catching” the baby, doing a lot more paperwork, etc. Doulas are professionally trained people dedicated to assisting that family one-on-one while providing education and essential support, non-medical pain management, and help to navigate the challenges of having a brand new member added to the family.
Myth 2: Doulas are only for those planning a “natural birth”
It mostly comes from the fact that birthing has become a medical event, and those wanting to assure themselves the right of birthing with less/no interventions must have some support system to advocate for them during labor when they are vulnerable most. And a doula does that. But that’s not the only thing they do! Doulas are professionals trained to give dedicated support, personal assistance and information to birthing people, no matter how they choose to birth.
Myth 3: Doulas’ just give support during labour & birth
Doulas’ have been around for centuries, but only very recently as trained professionals. And because the needs of one during and after birth are so wide, the doula’s work started to become segmented. So, doulas are not only for support during birth! The most challenging situations might occur when the family brings the baby home (breast/chestfeeding, sleep deprivation, baby’s learning process/adjustments, and so on). When less or no support is around, a doula’s presence can feel like magic for soothing, calming, helping and reminding that you are doing great and that that is just a phase.
If you’re looking to steer clear of these myths, reach out to Mama Doula Canada as the leading multi-language birth and postpartum doulas in Canada.
We are involved in our client’s pregnancy, postpartum, and parenthood journey! Our services include postpartum doula, birth doula, overnight doula, early morning doula, virtual doula support, gentle sleep coaching, breastfeeding/ lactation support, belly painting, milk jewellery, Placentart and more. We serve clients across Ajax, Alliston, Angus, Barrie, Bowmanville, Bradford, Brampton, Brantford, Burlington, Cambridge, Campbellville, Collingwood, Durham Region, Etobicoke, Georgetown, Guelph, Innisfil, Kitchener, London, Maple, Milton, Mississauga, Newmarket, Niagara Region, Oakville, Orangeville, Oshawa, Pickering, Sarnia, Scarborough, Simcoe County, St. Thomas, Toronto, Vaughan, Wasaga, Waterloo, Wellington County, Whitby, Woodstock, York Region, Ontario, and the surrounding areas.
For a complete list of our services, please click here. If you have any questions about Mama Doula Canada, we’d love to hear from you. For more information, please call us at (647) 990-6783 or email us at contact@mamadoulacanada.com.