Why Seattle Parents Hire Doulas

Whether you’re becoming a first-time parent or are a seasoned veteran adding another little one into the mix, you could benefit from using a doula at any stage of family planning.

So, what exactly is a doula?

A doula is a trained professional who provides physical, emotional, and mental support to every parent and birthing person as they travel the road through pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum.

A doula isn’t someone who steps in towards the end of a pregnancy and exits once the baby arrives. Instead, a good doula prioritizes inclusivity and unbiased support from the minute a pregnancy test shows a plus sign through the postpartum and infant-care period. And what new parent or second, third, or fourth-time parent doesn’t need more support?

If you are a Seattleite, you might find a doula especially helpful for these 3 simple reasons.

1. It’s a Tech/Corporate World – With companies like Amazon, Starbucks, and Microsoft making their headquarters in Seattle, the country’s Northwest region has become a largely tech-focused, corporate locale. With this has come the migration of many working professionals. According to recent census information, 36% of the population are millennials, which amasses 270,000 people. This means the number of working parents in the city is vast, and with a heavy workload, anyone could use more help as they traverse pregnancy, childbirth, and life with an infant.

2. It’s a Transplant City – With more professionals moving to the city for work, Seattle has turned into a city of transplants, with 70% of the population born in another state or country. This means not a lot of people have the support of family in the area. It’s the type of support you don’t even think about until you have a child, in some cases. You’ve probably heard “Raising kids takes a village.” That couldn’t be more accurate. It’s just that these days, we may have to look to professionals to help with our own “village”. What happens if you need someone to coach you through childbirth? Unless you have a planned induction or c-section, family that lives far away might not get there on time to help you through labor and delivery or even provide coverage for other children when a birth is imminent. Your doula is there to step in as your support person during labor and delivery or potentially act as a tag team partner and support system to your spouse if childcare doesn’t keep them from experiencing the birth. Did you know you can even hire a postpartum doula to help once you bring your little one home? In the last few years, this type of service has grown exponentially as more families are seeking continued support to help traverse the beautiful and often complicated road of parenthood.

3. It’s a Health-Focused Community – Touting the moniker of second healthiest city in the United States, many people who live in Seattle prioritize healthcare and living a certain type of lifestyle. With the support of doulas, studies have shown that birthing parents are less likely to take pain-relief medications or have a c-section. *Record scratch- Not that there’s anything wrong with either of those choices if that’s what you want or need for your birth. We support ALL birth journeys around here*. Also, having a doula as a member of the birth team decreases the overall c-section rate by 50%, the length of labor by 25%, the use of oxytocin by 40%, and requests for an epidural by 60%.

Doulas are perfect for the population in Seattle (actually everywhere if I’m being honest). Parents and birthing people need support for more than just the labor and delivery process because that’s not the beginning or end of the parenting journey. This support is what provides the best outcomes for moms, dads, surrogates, and babies alike.

If you’re a Seattleite, and I can provide you with more information, answer any questions, or you just want to connect to continue the discussion, please let me know!