FAQ about Doula
What is Doula? The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek "doulē" meaning “a woman who serves.” In the past, when communities were more tightly knit than they are today, every neighborhood had wise, experienced women who naturally stepped in to support mothers with childbirth and newborn care. That spirit of neighborly care is the root of modern doula work. Today’s doulas are professionally trained and offer expert, evidence-based support. While we may not all be older neighborhood ladies anymore, the essence of our work—the warmth, the presence, the gentle guidance—remains much the same. There are two main types of doulas: birth doulas and postpartum doulas. As the names suggest, birth doulas support families during labor and delivery, while postpartum doulas focus on care after the baby is born. As a postpartum doula, I support families during the first few weeks—or even months—of life with a newborn. My goal is to help you build a strong foundation, feel confident in caring for your baby, and truly enjoy the early days of your parenting journey. Doulas work from a place of compassion, but also from knowledge. While birth and postpartum care can be influenced by culture, tradition, or trends, my role is to provide you with accurate, evidence-based information so you can make decisions that feel right for your family—without pressure, judgment, or confusion.
How are doulas different from midwives? One of the most important distinctions about doulas is that we do not perform any medical procedures. For instance, if a mother is experiencing breast engorgement or discomfort while breastfeeding, a postpartum doula will lean on her evidence-based knowledge to help identify potential causes and explore possible solutions with the family. But we don’t diagnose medical conditions or prescribe medication—that’s outside our scope. Another key difference is our approach to the families. Doulas try their best to avoid approaching clients by telling them what to do. Instead, our role is to respect each family's values and preferences and play a supporting role to make them happen because every baby belongs first and foremost to their parents and family. When our time together comes to a close, our hope is that you feel empowered and confident to care for your baby in a way that feels right for you, instead of pressured or intimidated . Lastly, doulas (especially postpartum doulas) support not only the baby and mother, but the whole family. That includes dads, partners, siblings, grandparents, and even the family pets! If there's anything we can do to help make life with your baby more comfortable, peaceful, and joyful, please know you can always reach out. In short, doulas offer a unique kind of support—gentle, intimate, personalized, and ongoing—focused on nurturing the entire family during this precious and transitional time.
Why aren't doulas well-known in Japan? I had never heard the word "doula" until I gave birth and raised my child in the States. When I talk to American friends around me about doulas, most of them seem to have at least a general idea about what they do. It can be said that doulas are more recognized in America than in Japan. Why aren't doulas well-known in Japan? This is my opinion limited to postpartum doulas, but I think one of the reasons is the difference in postpartum support systems between these two countries. In Japan, even if there are no major problems during labor and delivery, a mother will stay in a hospital for about 5 days after giving birth, during which she is recommended to rest as much as possible while learning how to take care of herself and her newborn. It is also common for a mother to return to her parents to give birth, or for a mother's family member(s) to come and support her after birth. On the other hand, in the United States, mothers and babies are usually sent home after 1 night and 2 days, or 3 nights and 4 days if a cesarean section is involved (not counting the day of delivery). While you are in the hospital, you can receive lactation consultation if you wish, but most hospitals do not have a structured support system that actively teaches a mother and her family about newborn care and postpartum maternal care. If relatives live far away or work full-time, it is not easy for a family with a newborn to receive ongoing support. It is understandable, then, that the idea of hiring a postpartum doula would be more prevalent in America. Meanwhile, postpartum doulas are also starting to play a more active role in Japan as awareness of changes in the environment surrounding families and the importance of longer-term postpartum support is increasing (see “Postpartum doulas in Japan” below).
How long do families need postpartum support? It is difficult to generalize the length of postpartum support that families need because it varies from family to family depending on the health conditions of the baby and mother, the state of recovery, and the availability of other support. However, in general, the need for postpartum care is highest within six weeks after childbirth. Especially in the first two weeks after giving birth, it is essential that a mother can focus on resting her mind and body with as little stress as possible and bonding with the baby. In this way, postpartum recovery will be much faster and the life transition as a family will be smoother. We recommend continuing postpartum care during this period.
How often can a doula come to help us? Excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, as long as the doula's schedule is open, we can schedule visits according to your needs (however, each visit must be a minimum of 4 hours for daytime supports and 8 hours for overnight support). Some families request daily visits—up to five times a week, Monday through Friday. Others prefer just a few visits during times when they’re especially tired or facing challenges. I do my best to create a visit schedule that fits your unique needs.
The organization I got certified with There are many organizations all over the world where you can become certified as a doula. I obtained my postpartum doula certification and lactation counselor certification through this organization. Childbirth International https://childbirthinternational.com/
Postpartum doulas in Japan Postpartum doulas are beginning to gain more recognition and play a greater role in Japan as awareness grows around the importance of extended postpartum support, and as the environment surrounding families continues to evolve. If you're curious about postpartum doulas currently supporting families in Japan, you can learn more by visiting the link below. (Please note: I am not certified to practice in Japan.) Postpartum Doulas in Japan https://www.doulajapan.com/