What is a Doula? 

What can I expect from a doula?

• Continuous emotional, physical, and informational support from a person who understands and trusts the birth process.
• Help with preparation of a birth plan.
• Physical and exercise suggestions to make pregnancy and childbirth more comfortable.
• Non-pharmacological pain relief suggestions.
• Positioning suggestions during pregnancy, labor, and birth.
• Support to the partner
• Help with breastfeeding preparation and beginning
• Presence during entire labor and afterward as long as is needed by parent(s).

How can a doula help me?

Scientific evidence clearly shows that labor support by a doula improves health outcomes in both mothers and babies.  Specifically, a review of 16 trials in 11 countries involving 13,391 women showed that labor support by a doula is associated with:

    -Shorter labor
    -Higher chances of having a spontaneous vaginal birth
    -Lower caesarean-section rate
    -Lower chances of requiring an epidural

In addition, doula support is believed to enhance labor physiology and increase maternal feelings of competence and control. 

In a review of current labor and delivery practices, labor support by a doula was “one of the most effective interventions” and it was shown that there is overwhelming scientific evidence that doulas improve important health outcomes.

Because of these health benefits, experts agree that “continuous support during labor should be the norm.”

 Hodnett, ED, Gates, S, Hofmeyr, HJ, Sakala C.  Continuous support for women during childbirth.  Cohcrane Darabase of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 3.  Art. No.: CD003766.  DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003766.pub2.

(2)  Berghella, V, Baxter, JK, Chauhan, SP. Evidence-based labor and delivery management.  American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2008, Vol. 199, Issue 5: 445-454.