Why Families in Lincoln Hire Doulas
- May 21
- 4 min read
Understanding Birth and Postpartum Support
If you're searching for a doula in Lincoln Nebraska, chances are you've heard people say things like "You need a doula!" - but maybe you're still wondering what that actually means.
What is a doula? What do doulas do? How are doulas different from a midwife? And is it really worth it to spend the money on a doula?
Let's break it down.
What Is a Doula?
A doula is a trained professional who provides emotional, physical, educational, and informational support during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.
Unlike medical providers, doulas do not perform clinical tasks. They don't catch babies, monitor fetal heart tones, perform cervical checks, prescribe medications, or give medical advice.
Instead, doulas focus on supporting you.
Their role often includes:
Helping you prepare for birth and postpartum
Providing evidence-based education and resources
Helping you understand options and navigate decisions
Offering comfort measures during labor
Supporting partners and family members
Providing emotional encouragement
Helping parents adjust after birth
Supporting feeding and newborn transitions
Think of your doula as someone focused not just on the outcome of your birth—but on your experience.
What's the Difference Between a Doula and a Midwife?
This is one of the biggest questions we hear.
Many people assume doulas and midwives do the same thing, but their roles are very different.
A midwife's job is to keep you and your baby safe during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum. Midwives provide clinical care during pregnancy and birth. They monitor health, assess risks, order tests, and manage medical needs.
A doula is a non-medical support professional.
The birth of a baby is not just a medical event. It is also a deeply significant transformation for the one giving birth, as well as the entire family.
While your provider's primary responsibility is the health and safety of you and your baby, your doula's role is supporting your (and your partner's) emotional well-being, comfort, education, and overall experience during what is often a vulnerable, deeply meaningful time in your life.
One isn't a replacement for the other.
In fact, many families find that doulas and providers work beautifully together because they fill very different roles.
Your provider manages your medical care.
Your doula supports you.
Birth Doulas vs. Postpartum Doulas: What's the Difference?
Not all doulas provide the same type of support.
Birth doulas
Birth doulas support families during pregnancy, birth, and early postpartum.
Their support often includes:
Prenatal meetings and preparation
Birth education and planning
Labor support
Comfort measures and positioning
Emotional support
Partner support
Helping families navigate unexpected changes
Many birth doulas are also available by phone or text throughout pregnancy, giving parents someone to lean on as questions arise.
Postpartum doulas
Postpartum doulas support families after baby arrives.
The postpartum period can be beautiful, emotional, exhausting, overwhelming—or all of the above at once.
Postpartum doulas help bridge the gap between "the baby is here" and "we've found our footing."
Support may include:
Infant feeding support
Newborn education
Emotional support
Recovery support
Light household help
Meal prep
Sibling transitions
Helping parents rest
The postpartum time is arguably even more vulnerable than pregnancy and birth, and having a postpartum doula in your corner can make all the difference in your transition to parenthood.
Do Doulas Actually Improve Birth Outcomes?
YES!
Research on continuous labor support consistently shows meaningful benefits associated with doula care.
A large review of studies found that people receiving continuous labor support were more likely to have spontaneous vaginal births and less likely to have interventions. The strongest benefits were seen when support came from someone in a doula role.
Research has found:
Around a 39% lower likelihood of cesarean birth with continuous labor support.
Reduced use of pain medication and medical interventions during labor.
Shorter labors and increased likelihood of spontaneous vaginal birth.
Improved breastfeeding outcomes and reduced stress and anxiety.
One multi-state evaluation found people receiving doula care had approximately 53% lower odds of cesarean birth and lower odds of postpartum anxiety and depression symptoms.
Even The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has described continuous labor support as one of the most effective tools available for improving labor and delivery outcomes.
Sadly, up to 45% of women report their birth experience to be traumatic. Research suggests that birth trauma isn't determined solely by medical outcomes. For many parents, factors like feeling unheard, dismissed, uninformed, or lacking support can significantly shape how they experience their birth.
The Benefits Go Beyond Statistics
While a doula cannot prevent difficult or unexpected circumstances, having continuous support helps families feel more informed, empowered, and involved in decision-making. Doulas can help facilitate communication, encourage questions, and support parents in understanding their options—helping families feel seen, heard, and supported throughout the process.
The transition into parenthood is one of life's biggest changes, and you deserve support that is tailored to your unique needs and values—support that cares for not just your physical health and safety, but your emotional wellbeing, too.
THAT is what doula care is all about.
Looking for a Doula in Lincoln?
We got you!
Our birth and postpartum doulas have a variety of different trainings, philosophies, strengths, personalities, values, and approaches. Not all doulas are the same, just like not all families are the same! That's why we're passionate about helping you find the perfect doula for you and your unique desires. Check out our blog post about how to find the right doula for you.
Our Doulas of Lincoln directory was designed to help you connect with a doula whose values and support style align with your family's needs. Browse our directory, use the filters to narrow down what matters most to you, and start meeting doulas who feel like your people.
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