Which of the following is a common misconception about doulas?

A common misconception about doulas is that they deliver babies. This understanding stems from confusion about the roles of different birth professionals. In reality, doulas are trained to provide physical, emotional, and informational support to mothers before, during, and after childbirth, but they do not perform medical procedures or deliver babies. Their focus is on creating a supportive environment and enhancing the birthing experience for families by offering continuous support, physical comfort measures, and evidence-based information.

The distinction is important because it highlights the unique role of doulas, which is distinct from that of midwives or obstetricians, who are medical professionals licensed to manage labor and deliver babies. Doulas work alongside these medical professionals to ensure that the mother's preferences and wishes are honored during the birthing process.

In contrast, the other options refer to roles that are either misunderstood or not typically part of a doula's scope of practice. While some doulas may offer information on prenatal nutrition, this is not a primary function. Doulas also do not provide mental health counseling as their training does not cover therapeutic practices. Additionally, the misconception that doulas only attend home births minimizes the fact that they work in a variety of birth settings, including hospitals and birth centers.