Doula?! Maybe you’re like many others and have never heard of this profession before. To change that, we’re introducing you to Natalia and Sarah from Munich, who accompany and support pregnant women during this special time. In the interview, they explain the benefits of a doula, how they found their way into this profession, and what this kind of support costs.

The work as a doula

Dear Natalia, dear Sarah, could you please explain to us in advance what a doula actually is and how it differs from a midwife and a maternity nurse?

A doula is like a experienced girlfriend for a limited time , who Pregnancy , Birth as well as in the initial period emotionally accompanies you and is there for you. Unlike midwives, we do not have medical training, do not perform examinations, and do not give medical advice. Often, women contact us who cannot Find a midwife . However, we are no substitute for a midwife ; we work hand in hand with them and complement their work by focusing entirely on the woman and her partner. The doula is therefore part of that famous “village” that’s needed to raise a child.

Maternity nurses, on the other hand, support women/partners during the postpartum period with household chores and also take care of the baby or siblings.

What does the training to become a doula look like?

Doula is not a protected designation . That’s why there are now many different training programs, and doula services also vary greatly: from purely online support to postpartum specialists, everything is included.

When we started our training, there were very few options. In some cases, it was a requirement to be at least 30 years old and already have a child—which is no longer the case everywhere today. For us, it was about learning to support women/families as unbiasedly as possible and to respect the competencies of other professional groups. We were shown tools for how to support women well during this time and encourage them individually. In addition, we were able to study a wide range of literature and exchange ideas about the content.

The doula profession is purely emotional , and the training cannot be compared to a technical profession, but rather to coaching.

What motivated you to become a doula?

Like most doulas, our own—unfortunately rather negative—experiences during childbirth were also a catalyst for us. This motivated us to better support families during this special time in their lives. Every pregnancy and every birth is so meaningful and such a formative experience for the woman, but also for the partner. You will remember this time for the rest of your life. We want women to start this new chapter empowered by positive memories.

What do you love about your work?

It is simply our passion. We find everything related to pregnancy, childbirth, and becoming parents incredibly exciting. We can never get enough of these topics and continuously educate ourselves.

Additionally, it is very emotional. We love that it is such personal work . A birth touches us every time, and it is a wonderful feeling to help shape this unique experience in the best possible way. We are especially happy when, for example, a year after the birth, we still receive a card for the first birthday of the child. Sometimes we wonder whether this feeling ever stops. But every birth and every couple are so different that it probably always remains exciting.

Advantages of Doula Support

What makes your support so valuable and what benefits does care from a doula bring?

Basically, it’s our presence. Especially during birth, our care offers the advantage that there are no shift changes. We are there around the clock during childbirth – no matter how long it takes. We focus on the woman and provide exactly the support she needs. This way, we also relieve the partner , who is not solely responsible for support and can always turn to us if they are unsure or need a break. There are studies confirming that continuous support from a person who is neither part of your personal environment nor a member of the hospital birth team—but whom you know and trust—has a positive effect on birth. For example, fewer pain medications are used, and the overall birth is rated more positively in retrospect.

We should mention that, unfortunately, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become more difficult in many places because women are often only allowed to bring one companion. In other words, they have to choose between the doula and their partner. This is a difficult situation for the woman and has led to us accompanying fewer births since then. It is different in birth centers or with home births. Here, the woman can still decide for herself what her team looks like.

Another advantage we have over a “real” girlfriend is that we have already seen more births—and from a different perspective. This gives us, in addition to many valuable experiences , an important objectivity . You can ask us anything about pregnancy, childbirth, and Postpartum . You will either receive answers or the contacts for the right professionals. With friends or family, there are often inhibitions, and in conversations with the doctor or midwife, time is often lacking. But we have time, and you can never annoy us with questions. Especially couples who are becoming parents for the first time find it helpful to receive orientation .... We prepare our couples individually for their birth. That means we address their personal wishes and needs—or support them in discovering them in the first place.

And even after the birth, we are there for new parents. For many women, it’s especially important to have someone who can help with questions and uncertainties during this time. It’s okay not to know what to do sometimes and to feel overwhelmed. Often, people prepare thoroughly for the birth, but they forget about the time afterward. That’s why we talk about the time after birth even before the baby arrives and want to ease possible worries.

Are there mothers you would especially recommend the support of a doula to?

And you can ask the doula to leave at any time if it becomes too much for you or if you want to be alone—after all, childbirth is an exceptional situation, and you can never know for sure in advance what you will want. However, most women generally want emotional support. So, it doesn’t hurt to prepare well before the birth, because it’s naturally more difficult to find someone at the last minute who knows you and is there for you.

We have noticed that mothers who have already had a negative birth experience are especially grateful. They may have Fear before the second attempt or now know better what support they missed during childbirth. Similarly, a doula can also be helpful for a woman having her first child, so that she doesn’t start collecting negative experiences in the first place. Another group that is often especially grateful are women who would be alone during childbirth without a doula , for example because the partner has to look after the little sibling or because no one else is available.

What should women consider when choosing a doula?

The most important thing is that you feel comfortable with the doula and that it feels familiar. You should be able to imagine embarking on this special journey with her and talking about intimate things. Feel free to get to know several doulas. Try to sense which one suits you best. During the introductory conversation, you have the opportunity to find out whether you share similar ideas about the birth and what the support would look like. If you have a good gut feeling right from your first conversation, you should listen to it. It’s less helpful to focus solely on certificates, as they do not indicate how many births the doula has supported and certainly do not show whether you feel comfortable with her.

Cost of a doula

What is the cost of doula support?

Each doula sets her prices based on her scope of services. The doula’s experience can also influence the price. For example, a doula often charges a lower fee immediately after training than someone who has already attended many births and, for example, also offers postpartum massages. Most birth support services cost between €700 and €1,000 . In large cities, it is often a bit more expensive. The reason for the price is our multi-week on-call duty. We must be ready around the clock to come to the birth and stay until the end.

Unfortunately, health insurance companies generally do not cover these services. So, doula support can also be a wonderful group gift for the pregnant woman.

Wishes for the future

What are your wishes for your professional future?

First and foremost, we would like to wish that the work of doulas becomes better known and that women know all their options for childbirth. We also hope that in the future, the costs will be covered by health insurance. The financial aspect probably currently prevents many women and couples from hiring a doula. Especially for a first birth, most cannot yet imagine what they are paying so much money for.

Due to the current situation, we also wish for fewer restrictions in clinics . It would be great if birthing persons could decide who they want to have with them during the birth.

Do you have any final advice for expectant or new mothers?

Becoming a mother is wonderful and, at the same time, exhausting. Have compassion for yourself and be a good mother to yourself, too. Freshly baked mothers tend to forget themselves, and the baby initially takes center stage. Unfortunately, they are often invisible when it comes to what they do and need, and only come back into focus when something is no longer going well.

Be honest, too. Share your experiences as they truly were, not just the positive aspects. This helps all of us move forward when we know we’re not alone in what we’re currently going through.

Thank you, dear Natalia and dear Sarah, for telling us more about your wonderful profession. Maybe you now feel inspired to learn about doulas in your area and get emotional support during this special time. Find out more about Natalia and Sarah on their Website and on Instagram . If you want to experience what it’s like to work as a male midwife in the delivery room, check out our Interview with Tobias Richter .