A birth doula is a support person that coaches an expectant mother through the labor process. They can make birth a lot easier because they offer emotional, moral, and physical support throughout the process which helps with pain management and helping to make healthcare choices. It is important to know that doulas do not make healthcare choices for you, they are strictly assisting with helping in that realm. Because a birth doula is trained in techniques to help manage pain, they are often hired by mothers wishing to have unmedicated births.
The Pros and Cons to using Philadelphia Doulas
One of the benefits of hiring a doula is that they can also be with you through your entire labor unlike your labor and delivery nurse. L&D nurses may have multiple patients so they might have to run in and out of the room during your labor. It is helpful to have a doula to support you during the highs and lows of labor.
I had an unmedicated birth for my last baby and it is easy to get to a point where you feel like you can’t do it anymore, or you are scared that the pain will just keep getting worse. A doula can help you get through those thoughts and encourage you to keep going. There are also many studies that show doulas help to reduce medical interventions during labor – like cesarean sections. If an intervention free or low intervention labor and delivery is important to you a doula is definitely a service you will want to consider.
One drawback to using a birth doula is that they are an added expense to a pregnancy. Because they are not necessary or medical professionals they are typically not covered by any insurance. Parents who decide to use a birth doula are on the hook to fund the service themselves.
If you are interested in an unmedicated birth or just want to have an extra pair of hands during the labor process, hiring a birth doula might be right for you. I put together a list of great Philadelphia doulas in the area that offer services for expectant mothers.
The List of Philadelphia Doulas
Mainline Doulas
This business is located in Merion Station Pennsylvania and offers services and support from pregnancy through the postpartum period. It is always good to get to know your support person before you give birth, so Mainline Doulas offer care in stages. Stage 1 is pregnancy care, Stage 2 is birth support, and Stage 3 is postnatal support. You can check out their website for more information on what they offer here
Doula Belle
This business serves births in the Philadelphia and surrounding areas and specializes in home births. Doula Belle offers educational classes like childbirth education and different packages of doula services. You can check out their website for more information on what they offer here doulabelle.com
Ordinary Miracles Doula & Birth Services
This business serves births in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. They offer pregnancy support, birth doula services, postpartum care and breastfeeding services. You can check out their website for more information on what they offer here
The Takeaway on the List of Philadelphia Doulas
Thank you so much for checking out these local doulas! If you do end up using one of the Philadelphia doulas on this list be sure to let me know! I’d love to hear about your experience.
If you are interested in hearing more about booking a newborn session for when your baby arrives you can check out my newborn photography page here: www.jessicalauren.photography/newborns
