WomensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex & Love
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Weight Loss
  • Women In Sport
  • Podcasts
  • Motoring
  • Video
WomensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex & Love
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Weight Loss
  • Women In Sport
  • Podcasts
  • Motoring
  • Video
Subscribe
Jelena Dokic opens up about weight loss journey
Watch 1:41

Jelena Dokic opens up about weight loss journey

{headline}

{headline}

Meghan Markle May Break Major Protocol With The Birth Of Her First Child

Meghan Markle May Break Major Protocol With The Birth Of Her First Child

Facebook Doesn’t Want You To See This Incredible Birthing Photo

Facebook Doesn’t Want You To See This Incredible Birthing Photo

This Image Of A New Mum And Her Nurse Is Going Viral

This Image Of A New Mum And Her Nurse Is Going Viral

The $15 Beauty Buy That Meghan Markle Has Been Using During Her Pregnancy

The $15 Beauty Buy That Meghan Markle Has Been Using During Her Pregnancy

{headline}

{headline}

Meghan Markle Officially Has The Healthiest Pregnancy Craving On Earth

Meghan Markle Officially Has The Healthiest Pregnancy Craving On Earth

There’s A Real Good Reason Meghan Markle Keeps Cradling Her Baby Bump

There’s A Real Good Reason Meghan Markle Keeps Cradling Her Baby Bump

This Genius Hack Is Why Meghan Markle Never Looks Tired

This Genius Hack Is Why Meghan Markle Never Looks Tired

{headline}

{headline}

Meghan Markle's White Sneakers Are About to Become Your New Go-Tos

Meghan Markle's White Sneakers Are About to Become Your New Go-Tos

Meghan Markle Is Technically Having a 'Geriatric Pregnancy'

Meghan Markle Is Technically Having a 'Geriatric Pregnancy'

Lily Allen Bravely Details 'Incredibly Traumatic' Stillbirth Of Her Son

Lily Allen Bravely Details 'Incredibly Traumatic' Stillbirth Of Her Son

(Sponsor)

Ryan Reynolds' Latest Tweet Proves Blake Lively Is Actually A Superhuman Mum

Ryan Reynolds' Latest Tweet Proves Blake Lively Is Actually A Superhuman Mum

This Woman Delivered Her Own Baby in a Hotel Room Using YouTube Videos

This Woman Delivered Her Own Baby in a Hotel Room Using YouTube Videos

The Heartbreaking Moment Mum Says Goodbye To Her Stillborn Son

The Heartbreaking Moment Mum Says Goodbye To Her Stillborn Son

  1. Home
  2. News

So, Meghan Markle Is Using A ‘Doula’ – What’s The Deal With That?

If you're pregnant (or thinking about it), you may want one too. - by Lucy Bode
  • 07 Feb 2019
So, Meghan Markle Is Using A ‘Doula’ – What’s The Deal With That? Getty

Get ready: you’re about to be convinced to drop a lot of extra dosh during your next pregnancy.

According to several British tabloids, Meghan Markle has hired a ‘doula’ to assist her and Harry during the lead up to the arrival of their first child. 

But, erm… what’s that mean, exactly?

For the uneducated, the term doula (pronounced “doo-la”) is derived from the Greek word meaning ‘woman servant’ or ‘caregiver.’ Essentially, their role is to offer physical and emotional support to parents-to-be to make the whole birthing experience a happy one. This might involve pain management, massage, help with breathing techniques or acupressure – and above all, facilitating a constant dialogue with their medical team.

In short, doulas are there to empower them to understand their choices during the delivery process. Statistics show pretty stellar results too; women who employ them are less likely to have premature and low-birth-weight babies and are twice as likely to avoid labour complications. Little wonder then Megs is breaking royal tradition to have one by her side.

RELATED: Meghan Markle Is Technically Having a 'Geriatric Pregnancy'

markle
Getty

Isn’t that basically what a midwife does?

Not in the slightest. Midwives are clinically trained to provide health care and step in if things don’t go as planned. In fact, one study found that only six to 10 per cent of a nurse’s time is actually engaged in labour support activities. On the other hand, doulas guide the couple through coping strategies and act as an advocate on their behalf. For example: say you were hell-bent on a natural delivery and your doctor started pressing for a caesarean, your doula would help you a.) stay calm, and b.) encourage you to ask questions about your options.

So, what do the experts say?

Considering hospitals themselves are increasingly putting doulas on staff (numbers have doubled in the past decade) – we’d say they’re pretty on board.

“We can’t be in the room the whole time, but doulas can, which can help women feel more supported,” Dr Sindhu Srinivas, director of obstetrics at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania told Women’s Health.

More importantly, though, it keeps the patients happy. Not only are doula deliveries typically smoother, they’re also cheaper. While their services set the Aussie average joe back between $800 and $2000 (inc. 2 x prenatal visits, the labour/birth support and 1 x postnatal visit), using one could shave off around $1000 in medical costs if (heaven forbid) something were to go wrong. Plus, depending on what insurance company you’re with, some (or all) of this expense could be covered.

How do I find one?

The Australian Doula College, She Births and Doula Network Australia are the best places to start; all three have extensive doula directories. That said, it’s important to shop around until you find the person that’s right for you.

RELATED: Kate Middleton Is Reportedly Having A Hypnobirth, Here’s What That Means

Lucy Bode
Lucy Bode
Lucy is WH’s Digital Editor, Features Writer, social media guru and resident woo. A long black lover and foodie at heart, she considers peanut butter an hourly staple and believes chardonnay is the superior drop. When she's not at the beach, barre or yoga studio you'll find her coming up with new and improved ways to kill her unkillable houseplants

HALF PRICE SALE - NOW ON

Just $46.80 for 12 issues

SAVE 50% Subscribe Now
HALF PRICE SALE - NOW ON
  • News
  • Health
  • Pregnancy
  • Celebrities

Recommended to you

Jelena Dokic opens up about weight loss journey
Watch 1:41

Jelena Dokic opens up about weight loss journey

{headline}

{headline}

Meghan Markle May Break Major Protocol With The Birth Of Her First Child

Meghan Markle May Break Major Protocol With The Birth Of Her First Child

Facebook Doesn’t Want You To See This Incredible Birthing Photo

Facebook Doesn’t Want You To See This Incredible Birthing Photo

This Image Of A New Mum And Her Nurse Is Going Viral

This Image Of A New Mum And Her Nurse Is Going Viral

The $15 Beauty Buy That Meghan Markle Has Been Using During Her Pregnancy

The $15 Beauty Buy That Meghan Markle Has Been Using During Her Pregnancy

{headline}

{headline}

Meghan Markle Officially Has The Healthiest Pregnancy Craving On Earth

Meghan Markle Officially Has The Healthiest Pregnancy Craving On Earth

There’s A Real Good Reason Meghan Markle Keeps Cradling Her Baby Bump

There’s A Real Good Reason Meghan Markle Keeps Cradling Her Baby Bump

This Genius Hack Is Why Meghan Markle Never Looks Tired

This Genius Hack Is Why Meghan Markle Never Looks Tired

{headline}

{headline}

Meghan Markle's White Sneakers Are About to Become Your New Go-Tos

Meghan Markle's White Sneakers Are About to Become Your New Go-Tos

Meghan Markle Is Technically Having a 'Geriatric Pregnancy'

Meghan Markle Is Technically Having a 'Geriatric Pregnancy'

Lily Allen Bravely Details 'Incredibly Traumatic' Stillbirth Of Her Son

Lily Allen Bravely Details 'Incredibly Traumatic' Stillbirth Of Her Son

(Sponsor)

Ryan Reynolds' Latest Tweet Proves Blake Lively Is Actually A Superhuman Mum

Ryan Reynolds' Latest Tweet Proves Blake Lively Is Actually A Superhuman Mum

This Woman Delivered Her Own Baby in a Hotel Room Using YouTube Videos

This Woman Delivered Her Own Baby in a Hotel Room Using YouTube Videos

The Heartbreaking Moment Mum Says Goodbye To Her Stillborn Son

The Heartbreaking Moment Mum Says Goodbye To Her Stillborn Son

WomensHealth
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Pacific Magazines
  • Partners
  • 7Plus
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Statement
WomensHealth Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Pacific Magazines
  • Partners
  • 7Plus
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Statement

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • Instyle
  • marie claire
  • Who

Pacific Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Men’s Health
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • All Recipes
  • Practical Parenting
© 2019 Pacific Magazines