What is a doula?

Doulas offer valuable, compassionate support through some of life’s most significant moments, helping people feel seen, heard, and cared for during profound transitions.

There are different types of doulas — ranging from birth to death.

A birth doula provides emotional, physical, and informational support during pregnancy, labor, and the early postpartum period. They help the birthing person feel comfortable, informed, and empowered, working alongside the medical team without providing medical care.

A death doula offers compassionate support to those nearing the end of life and their families. They provide comfort, help with end-of-life planning, and offer guidance during a difficult and emotional time, ensuring a peaceful and meaningful transition.

Why would someone need a doula?

It’s totally understandable to wonder why you might need a doula when you could manage on your own. The thing is, a doula’s role is to help make these significant life moments—whether it’s childbirth or the end of life—more supported and less stressful. While you can go through these experiences on your own, having a doula can make things feel more manageable and even more meaningful.

What is period health and cycle syncing?

Period health is all about understanding how your period works and paying attention to the regularity, flow, and any symptoms you might have. It’s about getting to know your body—like noticing if your period is heavy, irregular, or causes you pain—and making adjustments when something feels off. Keeping track of your period health helps you stay on top of any issues and take care of yourself in the right way.

Cycle syncing is the idea of matching your activities, food, workouts, and even your work tasks to the different phases of your menstrual cycle. Each phase—menstrual, follicular, ovulatory, and luteal—brings different hormone changes that affect your energy, mood, and body. So, by syncing your routine with these changes, you can feel your best all month long. For example, when you’re on your period, you might want to take it easy, but during ovulation, you might have the energy for intense workouts or social events. It's all about working with your body’s natural rhythm!

What is prenatal care?

Prenatal care with a doula is a type of support that complements the medical care you receive during pregnancy. While your doctor or midwife focuses on the clinical side—checking your health, monitoring your baby, and providing medical advice—a doula provides emotional, physical, and informational support throughout your pregnancy journey.

A doula’s role during prenatal care might include helping you understand what to expect during pregnancy and childbirth, offering guidance on how to manage any discomfort or symptoms, and helping you make informed decisions about your care. They can also assist with creating a birth plan, provide relaxation techniques, and answer any questions you might have. Doulas are there to offer reassurance, support, and a listening ear as you navigate the ups and downs of pregnancy.

Essentially, prenatal care with a doula is about creating a holistic support system—combining medical care with the emotional and practical support that helps you feel more confident and prepared for labor and birth.

What is postpartum support?

Postpartum support is all about helping you adjust to life after childbirth, both physically and emotionally. The weeks following birth can be a mix of joy and challenges, and a postpartum doula is there to provide practical help, emotional support, and guidance during this time.

A postpartum doula can assist with things like breastfeeding, newborn care, and helping you rest or recover from birth. They might offer advice on feeding, diapering, and soothing techniques, or even help with light household tasks so you can focus on healing and bonding with your baby. They’re also there to provide emotional support as you navigate the changes and sometimes overwhelming feelings that come with new motherhood.

In addition to caring for the baby, postpartum doulas offer reassurance and encouragement for the new parents, helping them adjust to their new roles with confidence. Whether it’s answering questions, providing a listening ear, or just helping you feel more organized and supported, postpartum doula care helps ease the transition into parenthood and promotes overall well-being for both the parents and baby.