What Does a Birth Doula Actually Do?
If you have heard the term birth doula and wondered what it actually means, you are not alone. A birth doula offers emotional, physical and informational support throughout pregnancy, labour, and birth. They are not a midwife or medical professional. They are someone who is there just for you.
Their role is to support you to feel informed, respected and cared for throughout the experience of giving birth in whatever way is right for you.
Let us look at what that actually involves.
Before the birth
Pregnancy can bring a lot. Big feelings, a growing to do list and plenty of decisions. A doula is a steady presence through all of it. They offer consistent, compassionate support as you prepare for your birth.
This might include:
• Talking through your preferences and options for birth
• Helping you create a birth plan or birth map
• Exploring comfort measures and tools for labour
• Supporting you to connect with your instincts and feel confident in your choices
• Making space for any fears, questions, or what ifs that are coming up
Each doula works a little differently, but you will usually meet a couple of times during pregnancy and stay in touch in between.
During labour and birth
When it is time for birth, your doula joins you — at home or in hospital, wherever you are birthing.
They are a calm and grounded presence through the intensity of labour.
This might include:
• Hands on support like massage or counter pressure
• Suggesting positions or movements to support labour progress
• Helping to keep the environment feeling safe and settled
• Offering reminders of your preferences, if needed
• Supporting your partner so they can support you
• Staying with you through it all — no shift changes, no rotating staff
They are not there to direct or manage your birth. They are there to walk alongside you and meet the moment, whatever it brings.
After birth
Once your baby is born, your doula will usually stay for a little while — offering gentle support, helping you settle in and making sure you feel comfortable and cared for.
Some doulas also offer a postpartum visit in the days following birth. This gives you time to reflect, ask questions, or simply be witnessed in those first raw and beautiful days of new parenthood.
So, what does a birth doula do?
They are the person who truly sees you in it all.
The one who walks beside you — not directing, not fixing, just being with.
A doula brings experience, presence and belief in your capacity to birth. They help you feel resourced, not overwhelmed. Held, not watched. Heard, not managed.
And for many, that kind of support can make a world of difference.
To explore our Birth Doula Support, head over to your Services page we have two birth packages, with Tori Polson at Hold The Mother.
Hold The Mother is dedicated to honouring, and holding the Mother during life's biggest transitions.
We are Melbourne based Doulas supporting families within 30 minutes of Greensborough, Victoria. Suburbs including Eltham, Montmorency, Diamond Creek, Plenty, Lower Plenty, Rosanna, Macleod, Rosanna, Ivanhoe, Heidelberg, Northcote, Thornbury, Preston, Collingwood, Fitzroy, Brunswick, Ringwood, Croydon, Warrandyte, Park Orchards, Templestowe, Doncaster, Kangaroo Ground, Research, Kew, Blackburn, Box Hill, Hawthorn and more.
We are deeply passionate about community building, connection and wrapping mothers in curated, accessible care. We have a range of Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum Services available to meet you at whatever stage you are at, supporting you on the mother of all journeys.
Birth Doula Support, Postpartum Doula Support, Virtual Doula Support, Doula Mentoring, Postpartum Preparation Sessions, Mothers Blessings, Closing of the Bones Ceremonies, Events and Education Workshops, Social Events and Clubs.
For more information visit our Services page, and book in a Connection Call to explore how to work with us.
