How Can a Doula Help You?
Women who were supported by a Doula during labor have been shown to have:
50% reduction in Cesarean rate
25% shorter labor
60% reduction in epidural requests
40% reduction in Pitocin use
30% reduction in analgesic use
30% reduction in forceps delivery
During the Postpartum period, and in the long-term, mothers who had Doulas experienced:
Less anxiety and depression
Improved breastfeeding
More confidence with the baby
More satisfaction with their partner
More positive maternal assessments of baby's personality and health, and maternal competence
What about my birth partner? Won't they feel excluded?
A doula is not there to replace your birth partner, but instead is there to provide added support to both the mother AND her partner. A Doula plays a crucial role in helping a partner become involved in the birth to whatever extent they wish to do so. The birth experience is most often enhanced by the doula's presence because much of the pressure is lifted from their shoulders.
Does a birth doula replace medical staff?
No. Doulas do not perform ANY clinical or medical tasks such as taking blood pressure or temperature, monitoring fetal heart rate, doing vaginal examinations or providing postpartum clinical care. Doulas are not meant to replace midwives, nurses, doctors or any other medical staff. They are there to provide the mother (and her birth partner) with comfort and support, and to enhance communication between the mother and medical professionals.
50% reduction in Cesarean rate
25% shorter labor
60% reduction in epidural requests
40% reduction in Pitocin use
30% reduction in analgesic use
30% reduction in forceps delivery
During the Postpartum period, and in the long-term, mothers who had Doulas experienced:
Less anxiety and depression
Improved breastfeeding
More confidence with the baby
More satisfaction with their partner
More positive maternal assessments of baby's personality and health, and maternal competence
What about my birth partner? Won't they feel excluded?
A doula is not there to replace your birth partner, but instead is there to provide added support to both the mother AND her partner. A Doula plays a crucial role in helping a partner become involved in the birth to whatever extent they wish to do so. The birth experience is most often enhanced by the doula's presence because much of the pressure is lifted from their shoulders.
Does a birth doula replace medical staff?
No. Doulas do not perform ANY clinical or medical tasks such as taking blood pressure or temperature, monitoring fetal heart rate, doing vaginal examinations or providing postpartum clinical care. Doulas are not meant to replace midwives, nurses, doctors or any other medical staff. They are there to provide the mother (and her birth partner) with comfort and support, and to enhance communication between the mother and medical professionals.
