This blog was written by Kylee Alejandre, Founder and CEO of Doulas of Utah, for our friends at Yarrow Therapy and Counseling Services.
Pregnancy, birth, and the transition into postpartum bring profound emotional shifts. While these seasons can be beautiful, they can also feel overwhelming, especially when navigating unfamiliar decisions, sleep changes, physical recovery, and the new identity of parenthood. This is where doulas play a powerful and often under-recognized role in supporting maternal mental health.
Doulas provide continuous, non-judgmental support throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. Their presence alone has been shown to reduce anxiety, lower perceived stress, and increase confidence during labor. By offering evidence-based information, physical comfort measures, and emotional reassurance, doulas help parents feel grounded and informed during an experience that can otherwise feel unpredictable.
However, the impact does not end at birth. Postpartum doulas offer compassionate guidance as families navigate feeding, newborn sleep, and recovery. They notice emotional changes, help parents process their birth experience, and normalize the wide range of emotions that arise in the early weeks. This support can be a protective factor against postpartum depression and anxiety by reducing isolation, increasing rest, and giving parents space to voice their fears and needs.
Importantly, doulas work alongside mental health professionals, not in place of them. They recognize when someone may benefit from therapeutic support and can encourage parents to seek help early. When doulas and therapists collaborate, families experience more continuity, clarity, and confidence in their emotional well-being.
Whether it’s a reassuring presence during labor, a calm guide through newborn care, or a supportive listener during postpartum adjustments, doulas help parents feel seen, heard, and supported. That emotional steadiness can make a meaningful difference in mental health during one of life’s most vulnerable transitions.
If you are preparing for birth or postpartum and want support that nurtures both your emotional and physical well-being, reach out to Doulas of Utah to learn more about our birth and postpartum doula services. You don’t have to do this alone!
As always if you are interested in establishing mental health support at any stage please contact us here at Yarrow Therapy. We are happy to help!