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6.01.2026

How Doulas Support Families During Pregnancy and the First Five Years

By Jennifer Campbell, Executive Director, the DOULA CO-OP of Nevada

Becoming a parent changes everything. Whether you are pregnant, caring for a newborn or raising a toddler, the first 5 years are full of learning, big feelings and constant change.  

You may feel excited and confident one day and overwhelmed the next. That’s normal—and it’s also why having support matters.

For many families in Nevada, doulas are an important source of support during pregnancy, birth and the early years of parenting. Doulas walk alongside families, offering education, encouragement and practical help so parents can feel informed, capable and supported during this important stage of life.

Below is an overview of what doulas do and how they can support families from pregnancy through the first five years.

What Is a Doula?

A doula is a trained, non-medical professional who supports families emotionally, physically and informationally during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. Some doulas focus primarily on birth support, while others also provide postpartum and early parenting support.

Doulas do not replace doctors, midwives, nurses or other healthcare providers. Instead, they complement medical care by focusing on the parent’s experience—listening, answering questions and helping families feel prepared and supported.

Doulas support families of all kinds, including:

• First-time parents
• Families welcoming another child
• Single parents
• LGBTQ+ families
• Adoptive families
• Families with high-risk pregnancies
• Families navigating housing, economic or healthcare challenges

Every family is different, and doula support is designed to meet you where you are.

Here are five ways doulas and community-based support help families feel more confident and connected during the first 5 years of a child’s life.

1. Support for Parents

Parenting doesn’t come with a manual, and many families feel pressure to figure everything out on their own. 

Doulas also focus on supporting parents. Through non-medical physical and emotional support and education, we listen, answer questions and help families feel more prepared and less overwhelmed. Whether it’s a first pregnancy or adding another child to the family, doulas meet parents where they are and offer steady, nonjudgmental support.

2. Emotional Support During Big Transitions

Pregnancy, birth and early parenting are joyful, but they can also feel stressful or isolating. 

Doulas specialize in emotional and educational support during times of transition. We help families talk through fears, manage expectations, and adjust to new roles and routines. Sometimes that support looks like education, while other times it looks like reassurance or simply having someone walk alongside you.

When parents feel emotionally supported, children benefit, too.

3. Helping Parents Feel Informed and Confident

Many parents leave appointments with questions they didn’t get to ask or information that feels confusing. 

Doulas support families by helping them prepare questions, understand options and feel comfortable speaking up. We don’t replace medical care or community programs. Instead, we help parents feel more confident navigating systems and making informed choices for their families.

4. Feeding and Early Care Without Pressure

Feeding and caring for babies can bring up a lot of stress and self-doubt. 

Doulas provide practical, compassionate feeding support during pregnancy and postpartum. Whether a family chooses breastfeeding, formula feeding or a combination, doulas help normalize challenges and remind parents that feeding their baby is about nourishment and care, not perfection.

Reducing pressure and sharing a variety of resources helps parents trust themselves and ask for help sooner when they need it.

5. Community Support That Grows With Your Family

Parenting support doesn’t end after birth. 

Doulas also support families beyond birth. Through the DOULA CO-OP of Nevada, doulas provide support in hospitals, community programs and family homes, including services designed to increase access for families who may not otherwise be able to afford doula care.

As I often share with families, doulas walk alongside parents during some of the most important moments of their lives, helping them feel supported, informed and capable.

Supporting Families Together

The DOULA CO-OP of Nevada is a nonprofit organization that connects families with trained doulas and supports doula workforce development across the state. By partnering with organizations like The Children’s Cabinet and First 5 Nevada, DOULA CO-OP works to strengthen families during pregnancy, birth and the first 5 years of life.

Call to Action

If you are pregnant and would like extra support, consider learning more about how a doula can help. Doulas provide education, emotional support and practical guidance during pregnancy, birth and early parenting.

Support is available, and you do not have to do this alone.

To learn more – including how to find a doula near you - visit the DOULA CO-OP website at https://www.doulacoop.org/. The site also includes a list of doulas certified by Nevada Medicaid.

Jennifer Campbell is the Executive Director of the DOULA CO-OP of Nevada and a certified birth doula, childbirth educator and lactation educator. She has supported families for decades and is passionate about improving access to family-centered care during pregnancy, birth and early childhood. Jennifer believes strong families are built through compassion, education and community connection.