Do I Need a Doula in Berlin? Birth Support Even If You Already Have a Midwife
- Anne Matei
- Sep 17
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 27
What is a doula?
A doula is a trained professional who provides emotional, physical, and educational support to a parent who is expecting, is experiencing labor, or has recently given birth. Their purpose is to help parents have a safe, memorable, and empowering birthing experience. (American Pregnancy Association)
Doula is a non-medical role. Your doula brings deep knowledge of birth physiology, comfort techniques. She supports and advocates with you, accompanies your partner to create space for the role they wish to take, and stays by your side - no matter how long birth takes.
Numerous studies have documented the benefits of having a doula present during labor.
It has been proven that having a doula decreases:
the overall cesarean rate by 50%
length of labor by 25%
use of oxytocin by 40%
and requests for an epidural by 60%.
(data from – American Pregnancy Association)
Who hires doulas?
Nowadays more and more parents hire doula in Berlin, especially expats.
Some families know right away that they want a doula. For them, there is nothing to explain. They already feel why.
Sometimes it is because of a past birth that was difficult or even traumatic.
Other times, it is simply because they understand how deep and meaningful birth can be, and they want this moment to be honoured, supported, and held with care.
Other families are not sure yet. Or are sure they don't need one: "Doulas are for hippies!"
Some have never heard the word “doula.”
I don’t try to convince them or push myself forward. This is very personal.
But what I do believe is important, is that every family understands what the usual experience looks like in the German maternity care system.
Birth settings are part of the public health system, and need to deal with a lot of constraints economical stress, legal responsibility, lack of staff. There will be decisions that will be taken for parents without prior discussion, especially if they are uninformed and they do not form preferences, communicate these and advocate for themselves (but of course, sometimes medical decisions are urgent and can not be explained. But it's not always the case...)
1 out of 3 woman in Germany experienced a birth that she defines as "traumatic". From there, each is free to choose if they want to benefit from the presence of a doula, the care and guidance that it offers to navigate this system.
Doulas / Midwives: Who does what?
Midwives (Hebamme) are essential, and in Germany - unfortunately finding a midwife is a hard task, especially in busy Berlin. Most will agree, we need more midwives, they are just so so key!
The role of a midwife is not the same as that of a doula.
Midwives take care of the medical side of pregnancy, birth and postpartum. A doula is not a medical professional.
Pre-post partal support:
You may have a midwife to support you medically during the pregnancy, and she may be able to come and do home visits after the birth (Wochenbett)
At birth:
In hospitals or birth centers, midwives often care for several families at once. They come and go, check in on you, and then move to the next room.
You usually won’t know your midwife beforehand, and when her shift ends, another midwife takes over.
At a home birth, where the midwife is continuously present, her main focus is on medical safety and procedures.
NB: You might be able to find a "Beleghebamme", these are so precious! This is a midwife that accompanies you in pregnancy and will attend your birth, in an hospital or Geburtshaus. Unfortunately there are a very limited number of Beleghebamme in Berlin. You can find infos on how to find a midwife in Berlin on my guide (section healthcare system)
A doula offers something different. She stays with you the whole time, knows your preferences in advance, and focuses entirely on your comfort, emotions, and well-being. She is not a replacement for a midwife, she complements her.
Why would I get a doula, my partner will come with me?
A caring partner can be an incredible source of strength. But birth is intense, and even the most supportive partner may feel uncertain or overwhelmed.
A doula does not take the partner’s place: she supports both of you.
She can show partners simple but effective ways to give comfort.
She reassures them when they feel nervous or unsure.
She helps create an atmosphere where everyone feels safe and cared for.
Her presence allows your partner to go away, relax, go home, get some food or fresh air, take a nap. Labour can be long a difficult, also for your partner. A doula gives them permission to take care of themselves too.
A stressed partner can change the atmosphere in the room, rush you to take decisions and measures that you would otherwise not take if you felt that your partner is calm. Oxytocin is the hormone that drives labor. This hormone flows more easily when the birthing person feels calm and surrounded by warmth, this is why it is important to have your partner feeling calm and anchored.
You can read my "dad's guide" to support your partner here.
For centuries, women gave birth with other women close by. A doula brings some of that ancient circle of support back into modern birth.
Supporting you feeling empowered: reducing birth traumas
1 out of 3 woman in Germany lived a traumatic birth.
1 out of 2 was not asked for consent before an intervention (numbers from Deutscher Hebammen Verband).
Having a doula by your side can help you feel informed, supported, and empowered.
A doula is a professional who is steady, calm, and fully present. A trained doula has seen and lived many births, experienced births herself. Understand what it takes, what it means, emotionally, and physically.
A doula deeply understands the physiology of birth as well as the protocols of the healthcare system, she helps you navigate the system with your best interest in mind, based on your preferences and beliefs.
For a example, she might:
Before birth, help you feel prepared emotionally, logistically and mentally
She support you in navigating the system and decision making.
At birth, suggesting positions and movements that help labor progress
Offering touch, massage, or breathing guidance for comfort
Offering her deep knowledge of birthing bodies to support movement that help labor progress smoothly
Holding a calm, protective atmosphere
Helping you remember your preferences and wishes
Supporting informed decision-making when choices come up
Support with communication (especially important if you are not german speaking!)
All of this helps your body’s natural process by encouraging oxytocin and reducing stress! For easier, faster labour and respected birth.
Your doula remain present in your life after the birth to support you in taking these first steps as parents (e.g offering support with breastfeeding, taking care of the baby, household, and of you of course!)
Why would I get a doula if I already gave birth (for a second child for example)
I work a lot with first time parents. But also with families that already experienced birth.
Sometimes, a past traumatic birth sparks a light, they want something different: more guidance and emotional safety.
On the other end of the spectrum, I see people who loved their births so much that they want them to be even more sacred, celebrated an unique.
These are all wonderful reasons to hire a doula for a second+ birth.
Every birth is unique. Even if you have already given birth before, the next experience may be completely different.
Doulas are unique. Independent. There for YOU.
A doula brings knowledge of birth physiology, comfort techniques.She supports and advocates with you, accompanies your partner to create space for the role they wish to take, and stays by your side - no matter how long birth takes.
During pregnancy, a doula helps you prepare by talking through your preferences and exploring options. She does not make decisions for you — but she helps you understand your choices so you can give true informed consent.
Studies have shown that the most positive birth experiences for fathers/partners are ones where they have continuous support from a doula or midwife. In one important randomized trial, adding a doula to a supportive partner
reduced Cesarean rates from 25% down to 13%
shortened length of labour
reduced the requests for epidurals
These differences were even more apparent with a labor induction. When labor was induced, the Cesarean rate was 59% with a partner alone, and 13% when partners worked together with doulas.
Many U.S. health insurance plans, especially Medicaid programs in several states, now reimburse for doula services. This growing support highlights how beneficial doulas are becoming seen in maternal care.
Birth is powerful, tender, and unforgettable. A doula’s role is to hold space for you so that you feel safe, supported, and never alone.
I am a doula in Berlin, reach out to book your free call today!
If you need a doula but have financial difficulties, contact me to see how we could work together.
Comments