​Doula Services

The In-a-Pinch Doula Program provides FREE on-call birth support for laboring mothers, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, through our hotline, 415-66-DOULA. We serve all hospitals and birth centers in Sonoma County and we offer assistance to anyone who is interested in having the non-medical, emotional, physical, and informational support that a doula provides.

​What is a Doula?

The word doula means “caregiver” or “woman of service”. A doula is a trained childbirth
companion that provides continuous non-medical support to the birthing mother.
A Birth Doula:

• Never leaves the birthing mother without support (unless desired)
• Supports all birth types
• Provides emotional support to mother and family
• Assists physical comfort (e.g. massage, position changes)
• Guides relaxation (e.g. visualization)
• Supports informed, confident patient consent through advocacy
• Draws birth partner in to participate at their comfort level
• Remains after the birth to listen and answer questions

A Birth Doula Does NOT:

• Perform medical procedures or checks
• Work against medical staff advice
• Replace the father/partner

Studies Have Shown a Doula Can:

• Shorten labor
• Decrease C-Section probability
• Decrease requests for pain medication
• Help fathers participate with confidence
• Increase breastfeeding success

Mothers, fathers, babies, and nurses, midwives, and doctors all benefit from having Doula!