What is a birth doula?
A birth doula is a professional birth companion who serves parents as a birth mentor and source of support. Not to be confused with a midwife, who provides assistance as a medical provider, a birth doula provides the education, support and tools you need to navigate your birth. We specialize in connecting melanated mamas with birth doulas who understand your experiences and provide culturally congruent care. At Chicago Birthworks Collective, you will receive education surrounding pregnancy and delivery, as well as on how to advocate for yourself as you navigate a healthcare system that typically overlooks and minimizes Black people and women of color.
What does a birth doula do?
When you choose to give birth with a doula present, they remain by your side from contractions through delivery and postpartum. While you are in active labor and during birth, your birth doula will provide mental, emotional and sometimes physical support. From an encouraging word to translating medical jargon to providing pain relief techniques, your birth doula can assist in guiding the birthing process towards the powerful and joyful experience you and your partner are hoping for.
What are the benefits of having a birth doula?
The best part of working with a birth doula is that the benefits for both you and baby are crystal clear and well-documented — from shorter labors to decreased numbers of C-sections to less pain relief medication. At the heart of every birth doula is the desire to support their mamas in creating the birthing experience that is safe, empowering and truly wonderful.
At Chicago Birthworks Collective, we are here to champion our fellow melanated mamas and support you, whether you’re searching for virtual support, lactation support or more!
