We talk about doulas at almost every point in care if you are a Birth Center of Chicago Client.

At the tour? Yes.
At prenatal appointments? Yes.
In our educational materials? Yes.
On our website? Yes.
In our classes and birth prep wrap up session? Oh yes.

In 2022, we had 54% of our clients work with labor doulas, and this year, we hope that percentage is even higher. We know that working with doulas can help with overall birth satisfaction and outcomes, AND they also helps families feel better prepared and supported throughout pregnancy and birth REGUARDLESS of how a baby is born.

What is a doula, and what do they do?

A doula is a person who supports you emotionally, mentally, and physically throughout your labor and birth. Doulas stay by your side throughout your entire labor and birth and offer information and education about what is happening through each stage of labor, hands-on support through your contractions, soothing words and tried-and-true techniques for pain management, and comfort measures. 

While Midwives provide clinical care for the laboring person and baby, a doula will not perform any exams or interventions during your labor or birth, such as checking the cervix or catching the baby. Doulas also do not give medical advice or diagnose conditions. 

Do I need a birth doula if I'm birthing at a birth center with a midwife?

Absolutely! In fact, doulas play a pivotal role in helping our clients navigate unmedicated labor at the Birth Center. While we take pride in the individual care we give our pregnant and laboring parents, a midwife's role is to provide clinical care to ensure the safety of both the baby and the laboring person. In contrast, birth doulas provide continuous support throughout labor and birth, regardless of the laboring parent's decisions. Doulas are experts in supporting you emotionally and physically as you bring your baby into the world in an empowered and compassionate environment. 

Would a doula be helpful to my partner? 

A doula will not replace your partner; rather, a birth doula will support you and your partner during your labor and birth. Especially for first-time parents who may have fears or anxieties, a doula is trained to nurture and support both parents emotionally, mentally, and physically during labor. Doulas also answer questions and provide continuous birth support during times when a partner may need to take a break to eat or use the restroom. Many partners report a greater sense of confidence in having a doula available during labor and birth. 

What are the benefits of having a doula at the BCC?

Continuous emotional and physical support during labor and birth are essential to a positive birth experience. Here are four benefits of having a birth doula at the Birth Center of Chicago:

Full Family Support

Aside from supporting our clients during labor, doulas provide prenatal and postpartum support through information and resource sharing. Many birthing people and their partners report that having a skilled birth doula available throughout their early labor at home and immediate postpartum period helped them navigate challenges they didn't anticipate. 

Shorter Labor

Studies have shown that people who have a birth doula have shorter labors. Doulas play a crucial role in supporting our clients as they labor at home through early labor before they arrive at the BCC. 

Less Pain

With continuous physical and emotional support from a knowledgeable and present doula, birthing parents report they feel less pain and experience less fear during labor. This may look like doulas utilizing various comfort measures and strategies for the laboring parent at home or the birthing center.  

Fewer Interventions

Birthing parents who receive continuous support from a doula are more likely to have spontaneous vaginal births and less likely to have pain medication, epidurals, vacuum- or forceps-assisted births, and Cesareans in a hospital setting. For clients at the BCC, this can be helpful if our clients have to be unexpectedly transferred to the hospital during labor, where they can continue to receive support from their doula. *

*Birth Center of Chicago has an overall transfer rate of 12%. This means of the people admitted to our center for labor, 12% have transferred for non-emergency and emergencies reasons. Birth Center of Chicago has a 1.33% emergency transfer rate.

Ok sure, but what else?

One of the things that happens when you are working with a labor doula is Midwives are freed up to be midwives, nurses are able to be nurses, your partner or spouse is able to be with you and have their own emotional experience welcoming their child. Meanwhile, you are able to simply be in the moment.

The role a doula fills is the unique space of being in-between all these roles. They are fluid, knowledgeable, calm, and committed to your desires.

It is a special role that we think every family should make a conscious choice to use or not use, as they see fit.

Where do we find doulas?

Chicago has more than 500 doulas! Trying to find one that fits your needs, location, and financial situation can feel like a lot. Here are some doula finding tools we think you should consider:

Birth Guide Chicago
Doula Match
Our Resource List - Birth Library
Chicago Volunteer Doulas
Ask your friends who used a doula