Doula

A doula, sometimes referred to as a birth attendant, provides emotional, physical and non-medical support to women during pregnancy, labour, birth and during early parenting.

Doulas are not registered health professionals. They are not required to register with a government medical authority.

Although a doula can provide continuous non-medical support, they do not replace your primary support person, your doctor or midwife. They should always be respectful, knowing the boundary between their role and the role of the doctor or midwife.

Services provided by a doula

During pregnancy

A doula may offer non-medical information and guidance to help you prepare emotionally and physically for labour and birth. This can include:

• discussing your preferences
• exploring comfort strategies
• helping you create a birth plan that reflects your values and goals.

While doulas do not provide clinical advice or medical care, they can support you by helping you understand your options.

Some questions you may have for your doula, based on what is important to you, might include:

• What experience or relevant training have you had?
• What services do you provide?
• What are your fees and charges?
• Do you have a Working with Children and/or Police Check?
• What is your current immunisation status? Check if they are up-to-date with vaccinations, particularly measles, mumps and rubella, whooping cough, COVID-19, and influenza.
• Can you provide testimonials or references from previous clients?

During labour and birth

Some ways that a doula may support you during labour and birth include:

• providing reassurance and encouragement
• helping you with changing positions or getting in and out of the shower or bath
• assisting with breathing or calming strategies
• massage or relaxation techniques
• supporting your birth partner.

After birth

A doula may provide support after birth, along with midwives and maternal and child health nurses, to help you learn how to feed and settle your baby, and generally care for them.

Some doulas may also assist with household chores, preparing meals or caring for older children.

Services a doula should not provide

A doula should not:

• Provide clinical advice, such as assessing blood loss after birth and interpreting ultrasounds and blood tests.
• Make clinical decisions for you or influence your clinical decision making.
• Perform clinical procedures, such as a vaginal examination to check for cervical dilation or listening to the fetal heart during labour.

The differences between a doula and a midwife

A midwife is a registered health professional. Midwives have training that enables them to register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. This allows them to provide clinical care for pregnant people during pregnancy, labour, birth (including homebirth) and postpartum.

A midwife can be employed through a public or private health service or can be privately practicing. Practising midwives must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

Doulas do not have medical training and are not registered health professionals. They are not qualified to provide clinical advice, information on care or provide emergency care.

If you are having a homebirth, you should have a trained registered midwife with you.

How to access

Doulas are available to pregnant people who would like additional support before, during and after birth.

You can find a doula through the Doula Network Australia

Doctors or midwives may also be able to recommend a doula who can work collaboratively with your care team. You can find a midwife by contacting the Australian College of Midwives.

Costs

Doula services are not covered by Medicare or Private Health Insurance. They charge a private fee for their work, which may vary depending on the provider.

It is important to have a written agreement with your doula so that all support and financial expectations are clear. This agreement should form part of your pregnancy and birthing discussion with your maternity care team to facilitate appropriate collaboration.

Complaints

In accordance with Health Complaints Act 2016 a doula/birth attendant is a 'general provider,' meaning they are not required to follow clinical guidelines.

If you have concerns with a doula's service, complaints can be made to the Health Complaints Commissioner via Tel. 1300 582 113.