What is a Doula? And, Why You Should Hire One.

As a doula business that has been blogging for over 10 years, we’ve had the unique opportunity to witness firsthand how the field of doula care has evolved. Doula care has always been about supporting and empowering families through pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period, but the way we provide that care has shifted significantly over the years. From growing recognition of the benefits of doula support to changes in technology, cultural shifts, and evolving healthcare systems, the role of a doula has transformed in many ways. Let’s take a closer look at how the profession has evolved over the past decade and what we can expect for the future.

1. Increased Awareness and Acceptance of Doula Support

When we first began blogging, doula care was still something many families had never heard of. It was often seen as an "alternative" to traditional hospital births or was misunderstood as something only for those seeking unmedicated births. Over the years, however, there’s been a significant shift in public awareness.

More and more families have come to understand that doulas are not just for natural births—they are supportive no matter what type of birth plan someone chooses. Whether it's a medicated hospital birth, a homebirth, or a cesarean birth, doulas have become recognized as an essential part of a supportive birth team. In fact, many hospitals now actively encourage doulas and have incorporated doula care into their maternity services. The benefits of having a doula—such as lower rates of interventions, increased satisfaction with the birth experience, and improved mental health outcomes for both mothers and partners—are well-documented and widely accepted.

2. The Rise of Specialized Doula Roles

In the past decade, we’ve seen a shift toward more specialized roles within the doula profession. While the traditional birth doula (providing physical, emotional, and informational support during labor) and postpartum doula (supporting families after the baby arrives) have always been common, the need for niche services has grown.

Today, doulas often specialize in areas such as:

• Bereavement Doula Care: Supporting families through miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss.

• Postpartum Mental Health Support: Doulas offering targeted support for new parents experiencing postpartum depression or anxiety.

• High-Risk Pregnancy Doula Care: Doulas trained to work with families facing complicated pregnancies or medical conditions.

• LGBTQIA+ Doula Support: Specialized care that respects the unique needs and preferences of LGBTQIA+ families.

• Virtual Doula Services: With the rise of telemedicine, virtual doula support has become a viable option, especially for families in remote areas or those seeking additional emotional support.

Specialization allows doulas to provide more tailored support to meet the diverse needs of families, and it’s a trend that will likely continue in the future.

3. Integration with Healthcare Providers

In the past, doulas were often seen as outside of the traditional medical system. While some obstetricians and midwives embraced the role of doulas, others were more hesitant. However, over the last decade, there’s been a growing trend of collaboration between doulas and healthcare providers.

Many hospitals and birth centers now have policies in place that encourage the presence of doulas in the birthing room, recognizing their role in enhancing the birth experience and supporting positive outcomes. Healthcare providers and doulas are working together more than ever to create a holistic, patient-centered care plan that incorporates both medical expertise and emotional support.

This collaboration is a significant shift from the past when doulas were often viewed as separate from, or even in opposition to, the medical model. Moving forward, we can expect this partnership to continue growing, with doulas being seen as integral members of the healthcare team.

4. The Rise of Digital Doula Services

The rise of digital technology has had a huge impact on the doula profession. A decade ago, doulas were primarily in-person providers, offering physical support, education, and hands-on care. But as telemedicine and virtual support services have gained traction, so has the emergence of virtual doulas.

Virtual doula support has expanded beyond simple phone calls and video chats to include live-streamed prenatal classes, virtual birth planning sessions, and online postpartum check-ins. Digital resources like apps and online forums have also made it easier for doulas to connect with their clients and provide ongoing support throughout the pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period.

While many people still prefer the personal touch of an in-person doula, digital services offer more flexible and accessible options, particularly for families who may not have local access to a doula. As technology continues to advance, we anticipate even more innovations in the way doulas offer support, making their services more accessible to a global audience.

5. The Future: A More Inclusive, Accessible, and Holistic Approach

Looking to the future, the role of a doula will likely continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of families and the healthcare landscape. As we move toward a more inclusive society, the doula profession will continue to expand its reach and diversify. This includes:

• Greater inclusivity: Doulas will increasingly be trained to support diverse families, including those from different racial, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. There’s a growing recognition of the importance of cultural competency and sensitivity when providing birth support.

• Increased focus on mental health: As mental health awareness continues to rise, doulas may expand their role in providing emotional and psychological support, especially in the postpartum period. Doulas who specialize in mental health care will become even more essential in providing holistic support to families.

• Access and affordability: There’s a growing push to make doula services more accessible to all families, regardless of income or location. This might include sliding scale pricing, insurance coverage for doula services, and more widespread availability of virtual doula options.

The future of doula care looks bright, and as the profession continues to adapt to meet the needs of modern families, doulas will remain a key part of the birth experience. Whether through in-person support or virtual connections, doulas will continue to offer guidance, comfort, and empowerment to families navigating one of life’s most transformative experiences.

Doula care has come a long way in the past decade. What once began as a niche service for a small subset of the population has blossomed into a profession that is widely recognized for its value and benefits. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, doulas will remain a vital part of the birth experience, supporting families in increasingly diverse and accessible ways. The future is full of exciting opportunities for doulas, and we can’t wait to see how this incredible profession continues to grow and adapt to meet the needs of families in the years to come.