Looking to add a personal aspect to your pregnancy and delivery (and postpartum period)? Consider hiring a doula. A doula is a person trained in pregnancy and birth that supports you before, during, and after childbirth. Studies have shown that women who use doulas are less likely to need Pitocin, less likely to have a C-section, more likely to report a positive birth experience, and have a decrease in the need for pain medications.
Don’t let financial fears scare you off from bringing a doula into your pregnancy – the Doula Project in NYC provides doulas free of charge or at low cost to women. The NYC-based organization aims to provide “free compassionate care and emotional, physical, and informational support to people across the spectrum of pregnancy.” They couple these objectives with a vision that maintains that all pregnant people should be able to have access to quality healthcare and emotional and physical support. They also provide support for making pregnancy-based decisions.
The Doula Project, which was founded in 2007, is entirely volunteer-run and offer over 50 full-spectrum doulas.
To learn more about the Doula Project, visit them online at doulaproject.org. And to read more doula tips from New York Family, check out our guide to doulas, midwives, and lactation consultants HERE!
