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The importance of support in preventing prenatal and postnatal anxiety
March 18th, 2025
Why the emotional support of a doula changes everything
Motherhood is an overwhelming and beautiful time of life, but it can also be one of great vulnerability.
Preventing perinatal anxiety: the essential impact of a doula before, during and after childbirth.
Motherhood is a time of great upheaval, both physical and emotional. Expecting a baby is often filled with joy, but it is also accompanied by uncertainties, doubts and sometimes deeper anxiety.
A recent study highlights a crucial fact: support from nurses, midwives and doulas can help prevent and treat symptoms of depression and anxiety experienced during pregnancy and after childbirth.
In this reality, doula support makes perfect sense.
Why? Because the presence of a trained, caring person, dedicated to the well-being of parents, reduces the risk of prenatal and postnatal anxiety.
Perinatal anxiety: a frequent but little-known disorder
Statistics show that nearly one in five women suffer from post-partum depression, and even more experience high levels of anxiety during pregnancy and after birth. Yet these sufferings often remain in the shadows, minimized or normalized under phrases like “It's normal to be stressed” or “It'll pass”.
But perinatal anxiety can have serious consequences:
- Sleep disorders and increased fatigue
- Difficulty bonding with baby
- Feelings of isolation and mental overload
- Impact on breastfeeding or the mother's general well-being
This is where the personalized, human support of a doula makes all the difference.
The role of a doula: emotional, physical and physiological support
Unlike medical professionals, whose role is focused on the physical health of mother and baby, a doula offers holistic support, centered on the emotional needs and experiences of the parents.
Before childbirth: preventing anxiety and preparing a reassuring environment
Right from the start of pregnancy, the doula helps parents to better understand the transformations they are going through, and to reduce anxiety linked to the unknown:
- A sympathetic listening space in which to express fears
- Clear information to help anticipate childbirth and the post-partum period
- Practical tools for managing stress (breathing, relaxation, visualization)
Anxiety is often fuelled by the feeling of not being prepared or heard. By offering continuity in support, the doula becomes a stable point of reference throughout the maternity process.
During childbirth: reducing stress and promoting a more serene labor
Childbirth can be a source of intense stress. The reassuring presence of a doula helps create a climate conducive to letting go and may provide:
- Physical support (massage, positioning)
- Emotional support to help you feel confident
- Mediation between parents and medical team
Reducing stress during childbirth promotes better pain management, reduces the need for medical intervention and improves the birth experience.
After birth: breaking isolation and preventing post-partum depression
The postpartum period is a pivotal time when a lack of support can amplify anxiety and emotional vulnerability. Yet the majority of families soon find themselves alone, with a baby who demands constant attention and a mother in the throes of recovery.
The postnatal doula plays a key role in :
- Provide a comforting and reassuring presence
- Normalize emotions and avoid isolation
- Support physical recovery and family organization
- Help integrate siblings and co-parents
Personalized support ensures that you feel cared for at every stage of the postpartum period, which considerably reduces the risk of psychological distress
An investment in parental well-being
Calling on a doula means offering your mind a safe space where every emotion has its place.
It's a choice that can make all the difference to the experience of motherhood, avoiding the build-up of stress and promoting a smoother transition to parenthood.