Doulas help families to have a safe, memorable, and empowering birth experience by offering emotional, physical, and educational support to parents who are expecting, experiencing labor, or have recently given birth.

Doulas focus on the immediate needs and carry out the birthing plan of the parent, while the midwives focus on the medical process of the delivery. Midwives and doulas often work closely together to ensure the whole process runs as smoothly as possible, so it's up to you on how much and what kind of support you need.

While you can reach out to a doula at any point in the process of your pregnancy, 20 weeks is an average amount of time to begin the hiring process for a doula. During your first visit with a doula, you will have the opportunity to ask questions to ensure they are a good fit for you, and starting the process sooner can offer you the time to find the perfect match.