8 Common Myths About Doulas—Let’s Clear Things Up

Myth 1: Doulas only support natural births.

Truth: Doulas support all kinds of births—epidural, cesarean, induced, VBAC, hospital, home, or birth center.
My role isn’t to push an agenda. It’s to support you in whatever birth choices feel right for your body and your baby. Whether you’re planning to breathe through each surge without medication or you’re open to pain relief, I’m here beside you—not to judge, but to walk with you.

Myth 2: Doulas replace medical professionals.

Truth: I don’t take over the role of your doctor, midwife, or nurse. I don’t catch babies or check cervixes.
But what I do bring is continuous presence, comfort measures, a calming presence, and a listening ear. I help you feel seen, grounded, and supported—emotionally and physically—throughout labor and birth.

Myth 3: Doulas only help during labor.

Truth: Most doulas, including me, support you before, during, and after birth.
That means birth prep, working through fears, crafting your birth plan, and being there postpartum when the adrenaline fades and the questions start: Am I feeding her enough? Why do I feel so emotional? Is this normal?
You're not alone in this.

Myth 4: If I have a supportive husband or partner, I don’t need a doula.

Truth: I love working with my clients' husband/spouses. I don’t replace them—I enhance their support.
Many spouses feel more confident when they’re supported too. I guide them on how to support you with touch, words, and presence. I also make sure they get rest, eat, and feel included in the process. We’re a team.

Myth 5: Doulas only support home births.

Truth: Most of my clients birth in hospitals, some in birth centers, and a few at home.
Wherever you birth, I’m there to make the space feel more human, more sacred, more yours. I bring calm into fluorescent-lit rooms, warmth into sterile corridors, and a gentle voice when things get intense.

Myth 6: Doulas are only for first-time moms.

Truth: Every birth is different.
I’ve walked with second- and third-time mamas who wanted to do things differently this time. Maybe the first birth was traumatic. Maybe they want to feel more in control, more heard, more whole. You don’t need to be new to birth to deserve support.

Myth 7: Doulas push their own birth preferences.

Truth: My job is to support your choices, not make them for you.
I’m here to help you explore your options, ask the right questions, and stay connected to what matters most to you. I’ve supported mamas who planned gentle unmedicated waterbirths, and mamas who chose early epidurals and surgical births. What matters is your voice being honoured.

Myth 8: Doulas are expensive and only for the wealthy.

Truth: Many doulas (including me) offer flexible payment plans or sliding scales.
Because I believe every woman deserves support—regardless of her income. Birth is a huge transition. It’s sacred, raw, and powerful—and you don’t have to do it alone.

The truth is this:

Doulas are here to serve, not steer. To walk beside you, not ahead.
To hold space, not judgment.

Whether you're birthing your first baby or your fifth, whether you're going through a planned cesarean or hoping for a healing VBAC—I'm here to support you, your voice, and your birth story.

If you’re curious about how I support mamas like you through this transformative journey, I’d love to chat. Let’s explore what support could look like for your unique birth.

If you've been curious about hiring a doula—or if someone you love is expecting—you might have heard a few things that made you pause. There are so many myths out there about what doulas do and don’t do. I hear it all the time from mamas and partners: “I thought doulas were only for natural births,” or “Isn’t that what the doctor or nurse is for?”

So let’s gently set the record straight, shall we?

Here are 8 of the most common myths I hear about doulas—and the truths that might surprise you:for your unique birth.