As defined by the Greeks, a doula is a woman who serves. In other words, consider a doula like a close family friend or member you can confide in for emotional, mental, and financial support. A doula’s main job is to ensure the person or family they work for is prepared for significant life events. Let’s dive into the different types of doulas and what they do.
Indigenous Doula
An indigenous doula is a type that helps women of indigenous backgrounds through their pregnancies. They help women receive the most positive birth experience possible while ensuring their traditions continue post-pregnancy. They work one-on-one with indigenous expecting mothers with culturally appropriate practices and care.
Birth Doula
A birth doula is the most common type on this list, so it would make sense if you have heard of a birth doula before. You could compare this role to a midwife, but the biggest difference is that midwives have a medical background while doulas don’t. A birth doula is a person who helps coach the parents, especially the mother, through their birth and ensures they’re ready to raise a baby. Some birth doulas may be necessary for a birth mother if she plans to give their child to an adopted family.
Antepartum Doula
An antepartum doula comes in after the postpartum doula. They are the people that come over when needed, especially as the pregnancy blues start to appear. This person is necessary for every mom to help with their mental health. Doulas also help mothers with medical restrictions or who need extra help around the house because they have multiple children.
LGBTQ+ Doula
A doula typically prepares a birth mother financially, mentally, and emotionally for life before and after giving birth. Still, these doula types support and guide clients preparing to come out to their families and friends. And they support clients who are already out and want support they may not receive in other places of life—emotional, mental, or financial support. Their main focus is to help LGBTQ+ members understand their identities and learn to accept themselves.
Death or End-of-Life Doula
An end-of-life doula is in the name—they are the person a family confides in to help prepare everyone mentally, emotionally, and financially for someone’s death. One interesting fact about end-of-life doulas is they provide holistic support. They can be someone with a faith background or someone with some spiritual guidance, but they all help families come to terms with a loved one’s death. There are many things a doula can do to help support their clients during the grieving process, such as helping organize a memorial service.
Explaining to your doula what you expect to get out of their services is essential. A doula can help with anything you need, even helping create a relaxing bedroom to sleep in after a busy day at work. If there is a life event you need help with facing, contact a doula. There are many types of doulas who can provide support in your life, so you can continue living a prospering life.
