5 Ways Doula Support Improves Birth Outcomes for Black Women and Birthing People

It’s no secret by now that Black-body women and birthing people navigate racial bias in UK maternity care. Something that is constantly being addressed and shifted. Whilst this can feel like an exhausting and worrisome truth as a Black pregnant women or birthing person, you can still walk through the maternity system feeling safe and supported. Here are 5 ways a doula can support with that.

1. Becoming informed

Information is power. It may not be necessary to learn everything there is to know, but perhaps you want something specific for your experience, such as a home-birth, delayed cord-clamping or even an elective caesarean, it’s important to know what to expect, what the benefits and potential risks are. Additionally, throughout your journey you will be presented with a lot of information which comes with a lot of choices to make for yourself and your family, some big and some small. This can feel overwhelming. Should you hire a doula, they can:

• Equip you with useful and important information needed to navigate pregnancy, birth and postpartum safely

• Walk with you through any information you receive

• Support you to make choices that are confident and most importantly, your own

2. Ask questions

Perhaps something doesn’t quite make sense to you or you’re being offered something that you’re unsure about. If ever you feel uncertain, ask questions. Ask as many questions as needed. Ask why that something is being offered; what are the benefits and the risks; what if you decline. By asking questions, you can create a clearer understanding of the care you are receiving and what choices you can make moving forward. Should you hire a doula, they can:

• Help you understand the information you’ve been given

• Encourage you to ask questions in moments of uncertainty

• Advocate on your behalf if necessary

3. Advocacy

There may be times in your perinatal journey, particularly during childbirth, when it is difficult to speak up for yourself. Perhaps your choices are being challenged, or you are feeling unheard. Unfortunately, this isn’t uncommon in UK maternity culture. You have the right to be heard in your experience. Your voice is the most important one. Advocacy can form the bridge between your experience and the medical professionals offering you care, ensuring that you are centred in this care. Should you hire a doula, they can:

• Ensure your voice and your preferences are centred in every choice being made

• Speak on your behalf during moments where you are unable to. For example, during active stages of labour

• Safeguard your choices and preferences should they become challenged

4. Making a plan

So now you’ve explored your options, it’s time to put everything together to envision what the big day is going to look like. It’s time to make a plan. Your plan can consist of your birth preferences, your care practices, and your important considerations. Do you consent to vaginal examinations? What would you like to do with the placenta? The idea is that what you want can be communicated clearly to your birth team and the medical professionals caring for you. Most importantly, it upholds what’s important to you and your birth experience. Should you hire a doula, they can:

• Support you in curating a birth plan

• Thoroughly explore all options that may get missed during antenatal appointments

• Uphold your preferences as a valued member of your birth team

5. Continuity of care

Nothing can make you feel safer than having someone in the room that truly knows you. Throughout your pregnancy, you will encounter many different professionals and it’s likely that you will meet a new person each time. This also means that you will have to explain your circumstances each time and because of this, there’s very little opportunity to build strong relationships with those caring for you. Having someone in the room who truly knows you can invite calmness and ease into any situation. Should you hire a doula, they can:

• Establish a strong relationship with you and your family, understanding your likes, dislikes and everything in between

• Journey with you through every appointment and check-up, supporting you with decision making  

• Be the person in the room who truly sees, hears and feels you

Whilst the current maternity climate can feel fearful and bleak, especially during such a big moment in your life, it’s important to remember that a lot of the power still belongs to you. You get to decide how things go. You get to design your own birth experience. You cannot control what occurs within the maternity system, but you get to control how you navigate through it. A doula can walk along side you as you navigate, upholding your preferences and ensuring you are the centre of your experience.

Are you looking to hire a doula for your perinatal journey?

Check out The Full Doula Package and how The ReBirth Space can support you as walk into new parenthood.

With compassion,