Finding a Doula: What You Need to Know

A doula can help ease the birth process for moms and dads.

Preppin’ for Birth - Are you expecting a baby and want some help? Yes, you have a doctor to help, but a doula can also help make a huge difference when giving birth. Read more about what a doula does and the benefits of having one in the delivery room. By Kellee Terrell(Photo: JGI/Tom Grill/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Preppin’ for Birth - Are you expecting a baby and want some help? Yes, you have a doctor to help, but a doula can also help make a huge difference when giving birth. Read more about what a doula does and the benefits of having one in the delivery room. By Kellee Terrell(Photo: JGI/Tom Grill/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Preppin’ for Birth

What Is a Doula? - A doula is a trained and certified worker that provides physical and emotional support for pregnant women before and during your delivery. They can also provide some help after you give birth, too, by helping you get used to motherhood, breastfeeding, and handling a newborn so you gain confidence in being a mom.(Photo: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Blend Images/Corbis)

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What Is a Doula?

What Does a Doula Do? - They help answer questions a pregnant woman has, calm their fears and help create a birth plan, which is a set of guidelines that you create to have the birth you want. While doulas are in the delivery room helping to coach mothers, they DO NOT provide any medical services. But if complications arise, they can help answer any questions and help a mother understand what her options are.(Photo: 735/Paul Bradbury/Ocean/Corbis)

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What Does a Doula Do?

Erykah Badu, @fatbellybella - "Love to you Bobbi Kristina. We love you B. Brown!!"(Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images for Samsung)

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It’s Not Just a 'White Thang'

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The Benefits of Having a Doula - Giving birth ain’t easy, and many of you may need help. Women with doulas have lower rates of C-sections and epidural use, and have shorter delivery times. Plus, they are more likely to be satisfied with their birthing experience and have less stress during delivery.(Photo: Serge Kozak/Corbis)

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The Benefits of Having a Doula

Who Needs a Doula? - Anyone can have a doula. However, anxious mothers or moms who are having their first baby tend to like the extra support.  (Photo: Sam Edwards / 735/Ocean/Corbis)

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Who Needs a Doula?

How Much Do Doulas Cost? - Depending on how often you meet and what you agree to for a package, a doula can cost anywhere from $150-$1,200, says Fit Pregnancy. FYI: Most health insurance plans don’t cover the cost of doulas.(Photo: JGI/Blend Images/Corbis)

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How Much Do Doulas Cost?

Doulas Also Help the Dad - Mom-to-bes aren’t the only ones who may need extra support in the delivery room — fathers can get stressed out as well. Doulas are there to help fathers remain calm and teach them ways to soothe and calm the mother during the delivery.(Photo: DreamPictures/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Doulas Also Help the Dad

Photo By Photo: DreamPictures/Blend Images/Corbis

Find a Doula in Your Area - Interested in finding a doula? Talk to your doctor, health care provider, local health care department or family and friends for a recommendation. When you interview potential doulas, ask them how many births they have done, references from other families they have helped, cost, and what the package will offer. Go here to find a Black doula in your area.(Photo: JGI/Tom Grill/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Find a Doula in Your Area