Labour and Birth Support

Doulas and Perinatal Support Workers

What is a Labour Doula or Perinatal Support Worker?

A Doula or Perinatal Support Worker (PNSW) provides emotional and physical support to mothers and their partners throughout pregnancy, labour, and the postpartum period. These trained professionals act as advocates, labour coaches, and support partners, ensuring that both the birthing person and their partner feel informed, supported, and empowered at every stage of the birth process.

A labour and birth professional does not provide medical care or replace a healthcare provider but works alongside them to create a more positive, supported, and personalized birth experience. Their role is to assist in reducing stress, providing comfort measures, and fostering a calm and confident environment during labour and birth.

Why Use a Labour Doula or Perinatal Support Worker?

Studies show that having a Doula or Perinatal Support Worker present during labour and birth can have significant benefits for both the birthing person and their baby. Research has indicated that their presence contributes to the following:

- Shorter labour durations and fewer complications
- Reduced need for medical interventions, including fewer requests for epidurals and less use of forceps
- Higher maternal satisfaction, as parents feel more supported and involved in their birth experience
- Smoother postpartum transitions, with improved parent-infant bonding and early breastfeeding success

Statistics have shown that the support of a labour professional can lead to:

- A 50% reduction in overall caesarean rates
- A 25% shorter length of labour
- A 40% reduction in oxytocin use
- A 30% reduction in pain medication use
- A 40% reduction in the need for forceps
- A 60% reduction in epidural requests

Beyond these measurable benefits, the presence of a doula or perinatal support worker helps create a calmer, more relaxed birth environment, allowing parents to focus on the experience of welcoming their baby rather than managing stress or uncertainty.

What Does a Labour Doula and Perinatal Support Worker Do?

A Doula or Perinatal Support Worker provides continuous, personalized support by:

- Understanding the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a person in labour
- Helping the birthing person and their partner prepare for their preferred birth experience
- Providing emotional, physical, and informational support throughout labour and birth
- Assisting parents in making informed decisions by offering evidence-based information
- Suggesting comfort measures and relaxation techniques to help manage labour naturally
- Encouraging partner involvement and ensuring the support person feels included in the process

The quality of emotional care received during labour, birth, and the immediate postpartum period plays a vital role in strengthening the bond between parent and child. These early connections lay the foundation for family relationships, well-being, and emotional adjustment after birth.

What a Labour Doula and Perinatal Support Worker Do Not Do

A Doula and Perinatal Support Worker do not replace the birthing person’s partner or medical team, nor do they make decisions on behalf of their client. They do not perform any clinical or medical tasks, including:

- Taking blood pressure, temperature, or fetal heart tones
- Conducting vaginal exams
- Providing postpartum clinical care

Their role is to complement the medical care provided by midwives, obstetricians, and nurses by offering non-medical, hands-on support that enhances the birth experience.

When should I hire a birth doula or perinatal support worker?

Many families hire a birth doula or perinatal support worker early in pregnancy so they have support throughout, but others reach out later. A birth doula or perinatal support worker can be very helpful at any point during your pregnancy. The earlier you connect, the more time you’ll have to build a relationship and prepare together. This also gives ample time to interview a few professionals and make the choice that best fits your needs. This will also prevent disappointment with any availability issues.

Do birth doulas or perinatal support workers replace doctors or midwives?

No. Birth doulas and perinatal support workers do not provide medical care or make medical decisions. Doctors and Midwives are responsible for medical care, while doulas and perinatal support workers focus on comfort, emotional support, helping partners feel included, and helping parents understand what’s happening and their options.

Can birth doulas and perinatal support workers support hospital, birth centre and home births?

Yes, birth doulas and perinatal support workers support all birth settings, including hospitals, birth centres and home births. Their role is to adapt to the setting and the family’s preferences.

What if my birth doesn’t go as planned?

Birth doesn’t always follow a plan, and doulas and perinatal support workers are trained to support families through changes. They help parents process information, stay grounded, and feel supported no matter how the birth unfolds.

Do doulas and perinatal support workers attend cesarean births?

Yes, many doulas and perinatal support workers provide support for planned or unplanned cesarean births, including emotional support before surgery and immediate postpartum support when allowed. Often, they will be able to join you in the operating room if there is room for them as a support person.

What happens after the birth?

Our birth doulas and perinatal support workers offer immediate postpartum support, such as feeding guidance, emotional check-ins, and answering any questions you may have. They will help you settle in for the first couple of hours after birth and then follow up within the first two (2) weeks after birth. If you would like more ongoing support, you can also hire them for postpartum care or night nanny services.

Do you offer doula and perinatal support workers in my area?

Yes, it is highly likely we do. You can reach out to us to confirm.

How do I get started?

You can contact us to schedule a free consultation and talk through your pregnancy, due date, and type of birth support you are looking for. We’ll walk you through next steps and begin working on interviews with our team.

What is Included in the Labour and Birth Support Package?

Our Labour and Birth Support Package is designed to provide comprehensive, continuous care before, during, and after birth.

This service includes:

Phone and email support leading up to labour
One to two prenatal visits at home to discuss hopes, expectations, and birth preferences
On-call support for pregnancy and birth, ensuring availability when needed
Comfort and relaxation techniques to assist with labour progression and pain management
Continuous emotional, physical, and informational support from the start of labour until after birth
Post-birth support for the first one to two hours, assisting with early bonding and breastfeeding
A postpartum follow-up call to check in, answer questions, and provide additional support

Our Team Approach to Labour Support

At Precious Moments Babeez, we follow a team approach to labour support to ensure that every family receives the best possible care.

While we do our very best to have your primary doula or perinatal support worker present at your birth, we understand that unexpected situations may arise. In the rare case that your primary support worker is unavailable, if you choose, a backup professional will attend your birth to ensure you receive continuous, uninterrupted support.

Book Your Labour and Birth Support Today!

Having a perinatal support worker or doula by your side during pregnancy, labour and birth provides comfort, reassurance, and a greater sense of control over your experience. The right support can make a significant difference in both the birth itself and the early postpartum transition.

For more information or to book labour support, please email us for pricing by clicking below.