Doula Near Me
June 20, 2025
Guidelines = Recommendations.
They’re based on best practices, but they can be adapted based on your situation, preferences, or informed consent.
Examples of guidelines you may choose to modify or decline:
Continuous fetal monitoring
Routine IV placement
Restrictions on food or drink in labour
“Expected” labour progression timelines
Newborn procedures - hat on baby
Why it matters:
If it’s a guideline, you have options. Your provider should explain risks, benefits, and alternatives, and you can tailor your birth plan accordingly.
Policies = Non-negotiable rules.
These exist for legal, ethical, or safety reasons, and staff must follow them consistently.
Common hospital policies include:
Limits on who can enter an operating theatre
Infection-control measures
Medication and anaesthesia regulations
Security rules for maternity wards
Required consent forms or safety protocols
Why it matters:
Policies are rarely flexible — but asking why helps you understand the reasoning and feel more in control.
| Guidelines | Policies |
|---|---|
| Flexible recommendations | Mandatory rules |
| Based on best practice | Based on law, safety, or regulation |
| Can be adapted to your preferences | Staff cannot change them |
| Require informed consent | Required regardless of preference |
| You can decline or modify | You can only ask for more information |
Understanding this difference helps you ask the right questions and create a stronger birth plan.
Here are helpful questions to bring to antenatal appointments, hospital tours, or meetings with your doula:
“Is this a guideline or a policy?”
“If it’s a guideline, what are my alternatives?”
“If it’s a policy, can you explain the safety reason and evidence?”
“Does my medical situation change how this applies?”
“What choices do birthing parents typically have here?”
These questions open respectful conversations and empower you to stay at the centre of your care.
A doula doesn’t override hospital rules — but they do help you understand and navigate them with confidence.
Your doula can support you by:
Explaining common guidelines before labour
Helping you phrase questions clearly
Encouraging informed consent and collaboration
Supporting your preferences throughout birth
Helping you stay calm while making decisions
This makes your birth experience more informed, respectful, and aligned with your values.
Knowing the difference between hospital guidelines and policies helps you understand your rights, your choices, and the flexibility you may have in labour. When you feel informed, you feel empowered — and empowered parents have more positive birth experiences.
DoulaNearMe.co connects parents with trusted, compassionate doulas who support informed, confident birth choices.
👉 Ready to feel supported?
Visit DoulaNearMe.co to find a doula in your area today.