Your Husband or Partner is Going to Support You
A dad supports his wife while a doula helps her push.
A couple takes childbirth classes together and looks forward to the birth of their baby. The dad has learned techniques in the classes and wants to participate and support her. Sometimes the dad is reluctant to hire a doula because he is worried that the doula will take his place and their birth will be less intimate.
Studies have shown that dads whose wife is supported by a doula actually spend more time touching their wives during labor than births with no doula. The dads also spend more time physically closer to their wife than couples without a doula. This is because doulas have experience with labor and can show the dad many kinds of support during the different stages of labor.
Dads and partners appreciate that the doula takes birth pictures dad can be in. If dad needs a break to eat or rest, the doula can continue support. There are many ways to support a birthing woman, dad can massage her shoulders while the doula rubs her feet.
Your doula can help your partner have peace of mind. Many dads have never witnessed a birth before. Your doula is experienced with labor. Your partner can be there to support without the fear that he is forgetting key things he learned in class that you might need to support your birth vision.
Doulas can actually support the intimacy of your birth experience. If you birth in a hospital, many people will be coming in, often unannounced. Your doula can request private time for you during the birth and afterwards for bonding time. She can help preserve the peacefulness of the environment that you hope for while birthing.