Is a Doula Worth It? 10 Celebrities Say “Yes!”
During labor, having the right support can make all the difference.
That’s why more and more expecting mothers are turning to birth doulas – including some well-known celebrities. These stars credit their doulas with helping them have calm, empowering, and positive birth experiences.
Seriously, they’re showing major doula love (some even became doulas themselves!).
So, is a doula worth it? According to these ten celebrities, the answer is a resounding yes.
1. Jessica Biel: The “Perfect” Birth Plan
Actress Jessica Biel’s story is a perfect example of how even the best-laid birth plans can take an unexpected turn. She had planned a serene home birth—but ended up needing an emergency c-section.
It happens.
Thankfully, Jessica had hired a birth doula who stayed by her side, offering calm, flexible, and unwavering support no matter how things unfolded.
Yes, doulas are for cesareans, too.
2. Kelly Ripa: A Source of Comfort
Talk show host Kelly Ripa has never been shy about sharing her positive experiences —including her decision to work with a birth doula. She values the role so much that if she hadn’t gone into entertainment, she once said she might have become a doula herself.
As Kelly put it: “I know from experience that you are a source of comfort to the women in those delivery rooms.”
3. Mila Kunis: A Doula for Natural Birth
Actress Mila Kunis wanted a natural, unmedicated birth. She planned on giving birth at a hospital that worked collaboratively with midwives and doulas.
For Mila, having a doula meant having someone by her side to help her stay grounded, focused, and confident throughout the intensity of labor.
4. Nicole Kidman: An Extraordinary Birth Experience
Nicole Kidman was one of the first celebrities to openly share her experience with a birth doula.
In 2008, she credited her doula with making her birth “extraordinary” and “easy.” Her glowing feedback helped shine a spotlight on how doulas can empower and support women during labor.
5. Ashley Tisdale: “She Was the Game Changer”
High School Musical star Ashley Tisdale definitely felt that her doula was worth it. During her daughter’s birth, she says her doula helped keep her in the right mindset—and was an absolute game changer.
Even during pregnancy, her doula came through with practical support, like finding the perfect remedy for Ashley’s acid reflux.
Ashley always envisioned a calm, peaceful birth, free of fear—and her doula played a huge role in helping make that happen.
6. Kristen Bell: Hiring a Doula for Calm and Control
Kristen Bell was in labor for an exhausting 33 hours—almost a day and a half. Throughout this intense process, her doula stayed by her side, offering consistent emotional and physical support.
Even though Kristen’s birth ended in a C-section, the continuous support from her knowledgeable doula helped her feel empowered every step of the way. She said of her doula, Lori Bregman, “We love Lori! We worked with her throughout the pregnancy and birth of our daughter.”
7. Alicia Keys: A Peaceful Birth
Singer Alicia Keys has described the birth of her son as a “true miracle.”
A significant part of that miracle was the support she received from her doula. Alicia’s focus was on having a peaceful, holistic birth, and her doula was crucial in helping her achieve that peaceful environment.
8. Jessica Alba: Hypnobirthing and a Birth Doula
Jessica Alba, the actress and founder of The Honest Company, used a birth doula for both of her children’s births. She practiced hypnobirthing, a calming technique her doula helped guide her through.
Jessica is a firm believer that her doula’s support was instrumental in making her birth experience smooth and manageable.
9. Ricki Lake: She’s a Doula Now
Ricki Lake had such a transformative experience with her birth doula that she became one herself in 2016.
In addition, back in 2008, she produced the documentary The Business of Being Born to raise awareness about childbirth options and the incredible impact of doula support.
Ricki’s story shows just how deeply a doula’s presence can shape a birth experience—and how it can inspire someone to pass that support forward.
10. Kate Hudson: A Calm and Holistic Birth
Kate Hudson’s birth experience was a long one—18 hours of labor, including 4.5 hours of pushing.
Through it all, Kate had a doula by her side, offering steady support every step of the way. For Kate, the experience was empowering, and her doula played a significant role in helping her stay calm and centered.
She said of her doula, Lori Bregman, “It was beautiful to have her support for my pregnancy and birth. We were grateful to have such a nurturing and knowledgeable friend in the room with us on the big day.”
So, Is a Doula Worth It?
For many families (famous or not) doulas are the perfect choice. Continuous support through your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey can make all the difference.
And you don’t have to be a celebrity to experience it.
If you’re curious about working with a birth or postpartum doula, why not start the conversation today? You were never meant to experience pregnancy and birth alone.
Chat with us about your birth goals!
And if you’re interested, here are a few celebrity birth/pregnancy stories:
Also check out: Leah Remini on Why She Hired a Doula
