Expert Q&A: Chicago Family Doulas

Chicago Family Doulas is a full service doula agency supporting families throughout the entire Chicagoland area. We have an amazing team of labor and postpartum doulas and we also have a wide range of wonderful classes to help families prepare for this journey.

1. What is a doula? What are the benefits of hiring one? And why is it a consideration for many women?

There are different types of doulas. The two that are most common are labor and postpartum doulas. Labor doulas support families throughout pregnancy, birth and immediately postpartum. They provide information, emotional support and physical support throughout this time. Postpartum doulas care for the birthing person, baby, family and household. They help everyone settle in, get rest, recover and bond. They support families during the day and overnight.

2. What can a doula not do?

Doulas can not provide any medical care. We provide non-medical support.

3. When do I start searching for a doula? And how?

Doulas can be hired at any point of pregnancy and postpartum doulas can be hired even after the baby arrives. Doulas are amazing at helping families navigate this time so if a family realizes that they will want a doula early on then they should reach out. A simple Google search can yield lots of doulas, but I think it's great to ask friends, family, coworkers and even your doctor or midwife if they have any recommendations. They usually do.

4. What questions should I ask when interviewing a potential doula?

Ask questions that are important to you. For example, what will your support look like? Have you supported families at this hospital before? If planning on an epidural then ask, how will you support me once I receive an epidural. If not getting an epidural then ask, how will you support me through an unmedicated birth. Also, this should feel more like a conversation than a rigid interview. I would approach it that way.

5. What can I expect having a doula present at childbirth?

You should have communicated with your doula throughout your pregnancy and having her at your birth should feel comforting and she should be adding a sense of safety and help you to relax.

6. Is a doula able to provide breastfeeding support?

Yes, absolutely. We are with families throughout their first few hours and in communication with families the first couple of weeks postpartum. We can support a family as they settle in with breastfeeding. Anything that is outside of our scope of practice then we would help connect a family with the appropriate support person. In the case with breastfeeding it would be an IBCLC (International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners).

7. Why is a doula beneficial post-childbirth? How can they support moms?

Those first few weeks and truly the first few months with a newborn can be so overwhelming and exhausting. There is such a steep learning curve and families often do not even know where to begin. It is so wonderful to have a guide and strong support during this time. Postpartum doulas walk along side a family supporting them with correct information and allowing them the space and time to recover, sleep, rest and bond with their baby. It is so important.

8. How can I set my doula (and myself) up for success?

Having a doula is an amazing first step, but it is also so important for families to enroll in childbirth classes, newborn classes and a breastfeeding class. This is all new information and the more times a family is exposed to information surrounding these topics, the more it is internalized. Although, a doula should be an amazing communicator it will also be important for the family to communicate with the doula. This will be true throughout pregnancy and is also VERY important for the family to call the doula the moment they believe that they are in labor.

9. Can you talk about each of the different birthing options and how a doula can support each (vaginal, C-section etc.)?

Doulas support families with all births. With a family attempting an unmedicated birth there is a lot to navigate ahead of time to make sure the family is set up for success. Making sure the doctor/midwife has supportive policies, making sure a family is preparing and understands what this will look like and then of course in the moment there is so much physical and emotional support that the doula will be providing.

With an epidural birth doulas are providing the same sort of support in pregnancy and also throughout early and early active labor. As things get more intense, this is typically when a family will get an epidural. At this point the family usually naps and once awake the doula will be there to keep mom moving in bed and still focusing on comfort.

For a c-section birth we are typically prepping families to have the best birth and have some control. It is usually teaching them about a family centered c-section. Also, we are providing emotional support the day prior to the birth and we may not be allowed in the birth room for a c section, but we are with families typically longer postpartum and do a great job of helping families to settle in with their baby.

10. How can I best integrate my partner into the birthing experience along with my doula?

Doulas do an incredible job of helping partners play an active role in support. With a doula present the partners are typically more involved because they will know how to help. Doulas will be teaching both parents throughout the entire process.

11. Is there a difference between a doula and a midwife? If so, what?

A doula is a non-medical support person and a midwife is a medical support person. Families can either choose between having a midwife or an OBGYN. You will not have both. For lower risk people a midwife is a great option. A doula supports families whether they are under the care of midwives or OBGYN.