A Doula’s Work and Why Parents Say it Matters

315MOM/June 2026

Christine Herrera has tried not to cry at the many births she’s attended across the two decades as a certified doula. She doesn’t want to tread on the parents’ emotional ground. 

But there was one that took her down. 

A couple who felt traumatized by their first baby’s emergency c-section wanted to deliver their second child vaginally. The doctor was supportive, but warned a c-section might still be in the cards. 

Christine offered encouragement as labor intensified. Soon, the mother started saying, “I can't do this. It's happening again.”

Although the birth mother was scared, everything was moving along as planned.

“She was progressing beautifully!” Christine said. “I got close to her, made eye contact, and said, ‘You are doing this. Right now. Your body is working. Stay with me.’ Her partner held her hand and echoed the same encouragement.” 

Soon, the mom’s wish for a natural birth became a reality, and the moment her baby was placed on her chest, she sobbed. 

“Once she had her moment, she turned to me and said, ‘You believed in me when I couldn't believe in myself. I healed something I didn't know I could heal,’” Christine said.