If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it.

DR. JOHN H. KENNELL, 1993

EVERY BIRTHING MOTHER DESERVES A DOULA

OK, but what is a doula?

An increasing number of parents are choosing to include doulas as part of their birthing team—and for good reason! Evidence consistently shows that women who receive doula support are more likely to experience normal vaginal births, require less pain medication or epidurals, and feel more positive about their birth experience. They are also less likely to have vacuum- or forceps-assisted births, C-sections, or other interventions. On top of that, their labors are typically shorter, and their babies are less likely to face complications*.

So, what exactly is a doula? A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support before, during, and immediately after childbirth. Importantly, a doula’s role is strictly non-medical—she does not perform clinical tasks, give medical advice, or make decisions for you. Instead, she works alongside your healthcare team, focusing entirely on you and your needs, ensuring you feel empowered, informed, and cared for every step of the way.

While the concept of doulas may seem modern, it has ancient roots. For centuries, women were supported in childbirth by fellow female companions who instinctively understood their needs, offering comfort, reassurance, and hands-on help. A modern doula combines that age-old wisdom with professional training, acting like a mix of a wedding planner, massage therapist, personal trainer, and compassionate sister, all rolled into one.

And it’s not just the birthing parent who benefits!

Doulas also support partners, helping them feel confident and connected during the birth process. A doula doesn’t replace the father-to-be; she complements his role, offering guidance and reassurance so they can be present and supportive in a meaningful way.

With a doula by your side, you’ll have the compassionate support you deserve every step of the way.

*Cochrane Review findings (Hodnett et al., 2013)

THRIVE NOT JUST SURVIVE

Your doula match

Every birthing mother deserves a doula, but finding the right one is key to ensuring a positive and empowering experience. Chemistry and trust between parents and their doula are essential, and that's why all doulas featured on this site are carefully selected members of the Flemish Doula Federation (Vlaamse Federatie van Doulas). This membership guarantees their professionalism, extensive training, and experience.

In Belgium, most health insurers (mutualiteit) reimburse part of the cost of doula services, making doula support more accessible. The average cost for a birth doula ranges around €1,000 and typically includes two or three prenatal sessions to build a connection and prepare for birth, on-call availability from week 37, continuous support during labor and delivery, and a postpartum visit that typically includes basic breastfeeding assistance and birth processing. Many doulas also offer additional services, such as prenatal massage, postpartum support, closing rituals, and prenatal yoga, tailoring their care to your unique needs and preferences.

GET THE BIRTH SUPPORT YOU DESERVE

Meet our doulas

Choosing a doula isn't just about support—it's about creating a partnership that helps you approach your birth journey with confidence, comfort, and joy. We offer special discounts for course participants, please ask your doula directly.

BRUSSELS - LEUVEN-ANTWERPEN AREA

Kata Rácz

Becoming a mother at 40 was a life-changing experience for me—giving birth and breastfeeding transformed not only my perspective but also my path, steering me away from the corporate world and into the realm of birth work.

I believe that every parent deserves to celebrate the moment of bringing new life into the world. Yet, the clinical nature of hospital policies and unfamiliar settings can sometimes overshadow this joyful experience, leaving parents feeling uncertain or overwhelmed.

As your doula, I’m here to walk alongside you on your unique birth journey. I offer advocacy, emotional and physical support to help you feel confident, empowered, and truly present. 

Languages: English, Flemish, French, Hungarian

Specials: Spinning Babies®, BodyReadyMethod®, TENS, rebozo massage, breastfeeding counseling

✉ kata@myroundbelly.be

☎ 0472 740 957

🌐www.myroundbelly.be

Doula FAQ

  • The word "doula" comes from Greek and means "a woman who serves." Doulas provide continuous, non-medical support during the birthing journey, effectively contributing to a positive birth experience.

  • Unlike hospital staff, a doula will be with you continuously throughout the entire birthing process, providing emotional support, applying comfort measures, and ensuring your comfort to help you feel at ease.

  • No, not at all! I believe a doula is even more beneficial during a hospital birth. Typically, during a homebirth, midwives can provide tailor-made one-on-one care, which is rarely possible in a hospital setting. However, a doula can also provide additional support during a home birth, including during early labor if that is the parents' wish.

  • No. Birth, in our culture, is an unknown territory—regardless of whether it is a natural birth, a birth with interventions, or even a surgical birth. As a doula, I can provide you with reassurance and comfort in this unknown territory.

  • Research has shown that the support provided by a trained doula increases the chances of a spontaneous vaginal birth and reduces the risks of interventions, assisted delivery, and C-sections. It is also proven by research that women who give birth with a doula are less likely to require pain medication and are more likely to have a positive birth experience. The cherry on the cake: even breastfeeding is longer and more successful if a doula is present during birth!

  • A midwife holds medical responsibility during your birth. However, midwives are not continuously present during labor; they may have simultaneous commitments to other births and work in shifts. On the other hand, a doula remains by your side from the beginning to the end, providing consistent support and full attention, regardless of the length of labor.

  • No. A doula complements the role of your partner, making him/her feel more at ease as well. In my experience, fathers-to-be and partners are more active and involved in the birth process, as they do not have the weight of being the sole support on their shoulders!

  • No. The decisions are always yours to make! However, a doula can help you make informed decisions by presenting a full picture, explaining the risks, benefits, and possible alternatives.

  • A midwife is a medically trained professional caregiver with a medical focus during your care. A midwife checks your blood pressure, dilation, and monitors your baby’s well-being. However, midwives sometimes manage several births in parallel and work in shifts, making it impossible to provide continuous one-on-one support. A doula provides exactly that, with her sole focus being your well-being and comfort!

  • Yes, most insurers (mutualiteit) in Belgium do reimburse some of the doula costs based on the invoice. It's best to check with your insurer, and if you have extra hospitalization insurance, please check with them as well.

  • A birth doula provides support during pregnancy, labor, and birth. A postpartum doula focuses on the weeks and months after the baby is born. They assist with recovery, newborn care, breastfeeding, and household chores. Their role is to ease the transition into parenthood.

  • A rebozo massage is a traditional Mexican technique using a long woven scarf called a "rebozo." This gentle, rhythmic massage is often used during pregnancy to relax muscles, relieve tension, and help with optimal baby positioning. The rebozo can be used in various ways to provide comfort during labor.

  • A closing ritual is a traditional postpartum ceremony practiced in various cultures to support physical and emotional recovery after childbirth. One well-known version is the Mexican "closing the bones" ritual, which involves wrapping the mother's body with a rebozo to provide a sense of closure, grounding, and comfort.

    The ritual typically includes massage, warmth, and gentle movements to help the body realign, release tension, and honor the transformative journey of birth.

  • For a comprehensive answer please see at the top of this page the Spinning Babies® and BodyReadyMethod® section.

”When women are supported during labor, they are more likely to trust their bodies and the birthing process.”

-INA MAY GASKIN, MIDWIFE AND AUTHOR