"Cynthya was our doula for the birth of our third child in April 2016. As this was my third birth, and I had been attended to by a doula at the first two, I knew that finding the right doula was crucial to a successful and satisfying birth." - Winter Wheeler-Young
6 Points For Birth Partners to Consider When Hiring a Labor Doula
Sometimes, one partner REALLY wants to hire a doula and the other can't justify the expense or won't face the realities of the upcoming birthday. Here are my suggestions of talking points for reserving doula service and private instruction for an optimal birth experience.
"HELP! My partner doesn't think we need to hire a doula."
If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard this, I could fund a lot of postpartum meals.
It’s common for one partner to feel strongly about hiring a doula while the other struggles to justify the cost—or hasn’t fully grasped what labor and birth actually demand. Yet decades of research are clear: continuous labor support significantly improves birth outcomes. Doula-supported births are associated with lower cesarean rates, reduced use of Pitocin and pain medication, fewer NICU admissions, and higher overall satisfaction with the birth experience.
If you’re navigating this conversation at home, here are six important points every birth partner should consider.
1. How do you plan to support labor—hour after hour?
Labor isn’t a short event. It can last many hours—or even days. Are you prepared to provide hands-on comfort (counterpressure, hip squeezes, position changes) for 24+ hours straight? Have you learned how to recognize when labor is progressing—or when it’s stalling in a way that increases the likelihood of medical intervention?
A doula brings practiced, physical support that protects the birthing person and conserves the partner’s energy.
2. Are you ready to be the sole source of emotional, physical, and informational support?
During labor, your partner needs reassurance, grounding, encouragement, and calm—especially when things feel intense or unpredictable. They may also need help understanding medical options and advocating for alternatives when interventions are proposed.
That’s a tall order for someone also experiencing their own stress, fear, and fatigue. A doula fills the gaps so no one is carrying the full weight alone.
3. Who is supporting you during the birth?
Most partners are surprised to learn that nurses are typically in the room for only brief intervals—often just minutes per hour before active pushing.
Doulas don’t replace partners; they support them. Many partners tell us they felt calmer, more confident, and more present because someone was also looking out for them.
4. Preparation helps—but recall during labor is another story
Prenatal classes are valuable, but labor isn’t a test you take well-rested with notes in hand. It’s happening on little sleep, under pressure, while watching someone you love do something profoundly physical.
A doula removes the mental load: remembering positions, timing suggestions, troubleshooting stalls, and helping you adapt moment by moment—so you can focus on being emotionally present.
5. Is cost the concern? Consider the bigger financial picture
Cesarean births and extended hospital stays are expensive—often far exceeding the cost of doula support. Since continuous labor support is proven to reduce the risk of primary cesarean, hiring an experienced doula can be a cost-saving decision.
Many families use HSA/FSA funds for childbirth education and doula services. Our agency provides the necessary NPI and taxonomy information so you may pursue reimbursement through insurance or health savings accounts.
6. This isn’t opinion—it’s evidence-based care
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) identifies continuous labor support as a key strategy in reducing unnecessary primary cesareans.
Research—including a large Cochrane review of over 15,000 births—shows that one-to-one labor support is associated with:
Lower cesarean rates
Higher satisfaction with the birth experience
No identified harms
Evidence Based Birth notes that while partners and providers can offer support, doulas consistently show stronger effects on key outcomes.
The bottom line
The most important thing a birthing person needs during labor is continuous support.
If you plan to birth without a doula, thorough preparation is essential. Our partner-focused coaching sessions are designed to build real, usable skills for labor day.
Birth is one of the biggest days of your life. You deserve to feel supported, prepared, and confident—together.
Related posts:
5 Reasons to Hire a Doula
Epidural, Please!
