As an expecting parent in Singapore, you may find yourself wondering, "What role does a doula play in my birth experience here?" Given that OB-GYNs typically manage maternity care in Singapore’s hospitals, it’s essential to understand how a doula complements this system. Doulas provide emotional, physical, and informational support for both you and your partner, without replacing the role of a medical professional. Here’s how a doula can support you across various settings, including public and private hospitals, or even at home.

1. What is a Doula?

A doula is a trained professional who offers continuous support throughout pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period. Unlike an OB-GYN or nurse, a doula’s focus is not medical; instead, they help you feel calm, prepared, and supported. Their role bridges the gap between medical care and the personalized, holistic support many families seek in Singapore, allowing for a comforting and individualized birth experience.

2. The Role of a Doula in Singapore’s Maternity Landscape

In Singapore, OB-GYNs are in charge of labor and delivery in both public and private hospitals, while doulas are dedicated to your emotional and physical comfort. Since the role of a doula is non-medical, they work alongside healthcare professionals to provide a layer of personalized pregnancy support that enhances the care you receive. With knowledge of Singapore’s healthcare practices, a doula can help you understand hospital protocols and serve as a liaison to ensure your birth preferences are honored where possible. For those seeking a natural birth, a doula's presence can provide reassuring guidance and continuity in care.

3. Physical Comfort and Pain Relief

A core aspect of a doula’s support is enhancing physical comfort, especially during labor. Doulas bring a variety of non-medical pain relief techniques that help you feel more comfortable, such as:

• Massage, Counterpressure, and Hip Squeeze: These techniques target common tension areas like the lower back and hips. Counterpressure and hip squeezes are especially effective during contractions, relieving pressure and providing immediate comfort, particularly helpful for back labor.

• Guided Breathing and Relaxation: Breathing exercises help you remain calm and focused, encouraging a steady rhythm through contractions. A doula guides you through these techniques, helping you manage pain naturally and stay grounded.

• Movement, Peanut Ball, and Rebozo Support: Changing positions can relieve pressure and help labor progress more efficiently. Doulas often suggest using tools like birthing balls, peanut balls, or rebozos to facilitate these movements. Peanut balls, for example, are helpful in maintaining an open pelvis during labor, especially if you need to rest.

• Acupressure, TENS, and Comb Technique: Gentle acupressure can reduce discomfort, while a TENS machine provides soothing electrical pulses that disrupt pain signals. The comb technique, where you squeeze a comb during contractions, focuses your energy and offers a grounding sensation, making contractions feel more manageable.

• Creating a Cozy Environment: Doulas also help set up a calming, welcoming atmosphere in the hospital room to promote relaxation and support the flow of oxytocin, the hormone that drives labor. Soft fairy lights, an essential oil diffuser, gentle music, and flameless candles help transform a hospital room into a cozy, intimate space.

These comfort measures ensure you feel supported even in Singapore’s busy hospital settings, where medical professionals are responsible for multiple patients. For those planning a natural birth, a doula’s presence provides a unique layer of continuous care and comfort, whether you plan for an unmedicated experience or are open to medical pain relief.

4. Emotional Support and Consistent Presence

Labor is a profoundly emotional experience, and a doula provides steady emotional support to help you and your partner feel grounded. Studies show that having a continuous support person, such as a doula, can reduce anxiety, increase birth satisfaction, and may even contribute to shorter labor times. Their presence is particularly comforting in hospital environments, where staff shifts change, ensuring that someone remains focused entirely on your well-being. Doulas offer the best kind of individualized support, providing stability and familiarity throughout the entire experience.

5. Informational Support and Advocacy

Doulas provide a wealth of information, helping you make informed decisions about birth options, pain management, and postpartum care. They understand Singapore’s maternity care landscape and can help you navigate hospital policies and communicate your birth preferences to medical staff. This informational support is invaluable in ensuring you feel knowledgeable and empowered throughout your birth journey.

6. Partner Support

A doula’s presence also extends to your partner, equipping them with techniques to support you meaningfully. They guide partners in comfort methods and encourage involvement, creating a positive experience for both of you. This is especially helpful if your partner feels uncertain about their role, helping them feel confident and connected throughout the process.

7. Postpartum and Postnatal Support and Recovery

Many doulas in Singapore offer postpartum services, helping you ease into your new role as a parent. This support includes breastfeeding guidance, newborn care, and emotional support during recovery. Having someone to guide you through early parenting challenges can be invaluable, especially if family support is limited. Lactation consultants are often part of a doula’s network, providing specialized advice and guidance for those who need breastfeeding support after birth.

For those who have undergone a C-section, doulas can provide guidance on breastfeeding tips and techniques that accommodate post-surgical recovery, ensuring you and your baby get off to a good start. Postpartum doulas also offer continuous support, ensuring that parents have assistance with both the physical and emotional aspects of newborn care during the first few months.

Do Doulas Work in All Birth Settings in Singapore?

Yes, doulas work in all birth settings in Singapore:

• Public Hospitals: Doulas are able to register in the two main labor and delivery hospital, KKH and NUH.

• Private Hospitals: Private hospitals generally welcome doulas, and many OB-GYNs are supportive of their involvement. This includes for example: Thomson Medical Center, Raffles Hospital, Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, Mount Elizabeth Orchard Hospital, Gleneagles Hospital.

• Home Births: While less common in Singapore, some families choose home births, where doula support can provide both practical and emotional comfort.

Why Hire a Doula in Singapore?

A doula’s support adds a layer of individualized care, ensuring that you feel informed, empowered, and well-cared-for throughout your experience. In Singapore, where OB-GYNs manage medical care, a doula offers the personalized support many families seek, providing calm, continuity, and confidence as you welcome your baby. From pregnancy and birth through breastfeeding and postpartum recovery, a doula is dedicated to making the transition to parenthood as smooth as possible.