Ever wondered what a doula actually does or how they can support you before, during, and after birth? Whether you're just starting to explore your options or considering hiring one, this guide has everything you need to know — what doulas do, how to find one in Singapore, and which hospitals are doula-friendly. All explained by a doula herself!
Bringing a baby into the world is an incredible experience — one that can be empowering, emotional, and, at times, overwhelming. While obstetricians and nurses handle the medical aspects of birth, a doula provides personalised, continuous support to help you navigate the process with confidence.
In Singapore, doulas are gaining popularity as more parents seek individualised care and emotional reassurance during childbirth. Whether you’re aiming for a natural birth, considering pain relief options, or preparing for a C-section, a doula ensures you feel supported, heard, and empowered.
In this ultimate guide I’ll walk you through what doulas do, why they’re beneficial, how to hire the right one, Singapore’s hospital policies on doulas, and a list of trusted professionals.
What is a doula?
A doula is a trained, non-medical birth professional who provides emotional, physical, and informational support before, during, and after childbirth. Unlike obstetricians or nurses, doulas do not provide medical care, diagnose conditions, or deliver babies. Instead, their role is to offer comfort measures and guidance to ensure you have a positive and informed birth experience.
What doulas do
- Provide continuous emotional and physical support during.
- Help you create a birth plan and understand your options.
- Offer pain management techniques like massage, breathing exercises, and positioning
- Guide your birth partner in supporting you effectively.
- Assist with postpartum recovery and breastfeeding support.
What doulas DON’T do
- Perform medical exams, administer medication, or make clinical decisions.
- Replace the role of an obstetrician, nurse, or hospital staff.
- Deliver babies or intervene in medical procedures.
- Speak on your behalf or override medical recommendations.
- Make decisions for you.
Beyond labour support, doulas are a great resource for connecting parents with trusted professionals like lactation consultants, physiotherapists, mental health specialists, osteopaths, and more. They ensure you’re not navigating pregnancy and postpartum alone.
The benefits of having a doula
Numerous studies have shown that having a doula present improves both medical outcomes and emotional well-being during childbirth.
1. Physical comfort and pain relief
Doulas are trained in natural pain management techniques that can help make labour more manageable, including:
- Massage and counterpressure – Relieves tension and reduces labour discomfort
- Breathing techniques – Helps you stay calm and focused during contractions
- Positioning and movement – Encourages optimal baby positioning and eases labour progression
- TENS machine use and acupressure – Provides drug-free pain relief options
According to a systematic review of 26 studies (over 15,000 women), doula-supported births showed a 10% decrease in the need for pain relief, including epidurals (Cochrane Review, 2017).
2. Reduced need for medical interventions
Research compiled by Evidence-Based Birth found that continuous labour support from a doula can:
- Reduce C-section rates by 39%
- Increase the likelihood of spontaneous vaginal birth by 15%
- Lower the use of labour-inducing drugs like Pitocin
- Decrease overall birth complications
(Evidence-Based Birth, 2023)
3. Shorter labour and fewer complications
Women who have continuous support from a doula often experience shorter labours (by approximately 40 minutes on average) and fewer complications due to better positioning and relaxation techniques (Cochrane Review, 2017).
4. Emotional support and advocacy
Labour is as much a mental and emotional process as it is physical. A doula provides reassurance and encouragement throughout labour, a calming presence when emotions run high and support with decision-making, ensuring you understand your options. Studies have shown that doula-supported births result in lower rates of postpartum depression and improved emotional well-being for parents (NIH, 2020).
What a doula service typically involves, from beginning to end
Doulas offer support across the pregnancy, birth, and early postpartum journey. Here’s what you can expect:
During pregnancy
Most doulas meet with clients 1–3 times before birth. These sessions cover birth preferences and options; comfort measures and labour prep; and guidance on feeding and newborn care (tailored to your needs)/
From 38 weeks, your doula will be on call 24/7 until labour begins.
During labour and birth
Support begins virtually (via phone or WhatsApp) during early labour. Once you need in-person support, your doula will meet you at home or hospital, providing continuous support through active labour and birth.
Your doula will usually stay up to 2 hours after birth, until you’re comfortably settled in the maternity ward.
After birth
Postpartum support varies based on your chosen package. Most doulas offer up to three follow-up visits, which may include emotional support, feeding guidance and newborn care tips.
Many doulas also provide phone or WhatsApp support during business hours for ongoing reassurance.
List of hospitals in Singapore that accept doulas
Most major hospitals in Singapore allow doulas to be present during labour and birth. As of 2025, hospitals that commonly welcome doulas include:
- Thomson Medical Center
- Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital
- Mount Elizabeth Orchard Hospital
- Gleneagles Hospital
- Raffles Hospital
- KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH)
- National University Hospital (NUH)
At these hospitals, doulas do not count as a birth partner, meaning both your partner and doula can be present in the delivery room.
Step-by-step guide to hiring a doula in Singapore
Step 1: Identify your needs and research doulas in Singapore
Consider what type of doula support you’re looking for: a birth doula (who provides labour and delivery support) or a postpartum doula (who focuses on post-birth recovery and newborn care)? Read Google reviews, testimonials, and social media to get a sense of each doula’s experience and style. Browse the Doulas of Singapore website for a list of certified doulas!
Step 2: Schedule a consultation
Most doulas offer a free initial consultation. This is your chance to assess their personality and communication style, their experience with different birth settings (natural, medicated, C-section) and their availability around your due date.
Step 3: Verify hospital registration
All hospitals in Singapore require doulas to be registered before they can attend births. If you are giving birth in a hospital, check if your doula is registered at your chosen hospital to avoid last-minute complications.
Step 4: Ask the right questions
Some important questions to ask a doula include:
- What is your approach to birth support?
- How do you involve birth partners?
- What pain management techniques do you use?
- How many prenatal and postpartum visits are included in your package?
- Do you have additional qualifications? (e.g., breastfeeding support, postpartum care, childbirth education)
- Do you have a professional network for referrals? (e.g., physiotherapists, osteopaths, pediatricians, mental health specialists)
- What are your backup plans if you’re unavailable?
How much does hiring a doula cost in Singapore?
Doula packages in Singapore generally range from $1,800 to $3,500 depending on the number of prenatal and postnatal visits, additional services offered (e.g., lactation support, childbirth education) and the doula’s level of experience and availability.
List of trusted doulas in Singapore
If you’re looking for doula support, Doulas of Singapore is an excellent resource. This platform provides comprehensive information about birth and postpartum support while also featuring profiles of experienced doulas in Singapore. Whether you’re seeking birth support, postpartum care, lactation guidance, or specialised services, Doulas of Singapore can help you find a professional that aligns with your needs.
Here’s also a list of some experienced birth professionals in Singapore:
1. Gentle Beginnings – Tania Stephan (that’s me!)
Tania Stephan of Gentle Beginnings is a birth doula, lactation counsellor, and Nutrition & Health engineer providing evidence-based, gentle, and positive birth support.
gentle-beginnings-doula.com
2. Papaya Wellness Doula – Sulin Corella
Sulin Corella of Papaya Wellness Doula is big on holistic birth and postpartum care with multilingual support (English, French, Spanish).
papayawellnessdoula.com
3. Warda Doula Care – Warda Yusoff
Warda Yusoff is a certified DONA International Birth Doula, Lamaze Educator, specialising in childbirth education, perinatal bodywork, and lactation support.
wardadoulacare.com
4. BumpWise – Johanna Wagner & Deanna Kearns
BumpWise is a well-established doula collective offering antenatal classes, birth support, and postpartum care with over 700 births attended in Singapore.
bumpwise.sg
5. Just Dolah
Expect personalised birth and postpartum doula services with Just Dolah, focusing on natural birth preparation and emotional reassurance.
justdolah.sg
6. My Baby Adores
My Baby Adores specialises in newborn care, babywearing education, and lactation consultations.
mybabyadores.com
7. Blooming Births
We love Blooming Births for providing birth doula support, hypnobirthing classes, and emotional wellness coaching!
blooming-births.com
8. Birth Actually
Expert support in VBAC, childbirth education, and breastfeeding consultations.
birthactually.com
Hiring a doula can transform your birth experience, offering reassurance, knowledge, and continuous support when it matters most. More than just birth companions, doulas are your advocates and connectors—ensuring you’re surrounded by the right team of professionals throughout your journey into parenthood. Take your time, ask questions, trust your instincts—and know that you deserve to feel supported, heard, and empowered every step of the way.
FAQs about doulas
What’s the difference between a doula and a midwife?
In Singapore, births are handled by OB/GYNs, not midwives. Your doctor manages your medical care, while your doula focuses on non-medical emotional and physical support, offering consistent presence throughout labour.
How does a doula help prepare for labour?
A doula helps you feel prepared by exploring your preferences and values; sharing your options for labour and birth; connecting you with perinatal experts (childbirth educators, physiotherapists, lactation consultants); and supporting your emotional and physical readiness.
How do doulas work with doctors and nurses?
Doulas work alongside medical professionals, offering non-clinical support. They help ensure you’re heard and informed, without interfering with medical decisions.
What is the greatest support a doula provides?
Being present without judgment. A doula honours your birth choices, ensures you feel safe and respected, and supports you emotionally throughout the process.
How do doulas make a difference during labour?
They offer hands-on comfort, emotional grounding, guidance for your partner, and an informed presence throughout labour and birth — helping you feel more in control and cared for.
Did you use a doula when you were pregnant? Share with us your experience by sending us a DM!