Childbearing families, midwives, physicians and nurses appreciate the knowledge and continuous support a Doula provides.
Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily.
A recent study revealed the remarkable benefits of a Doula assisted labor:
- Reduced cesarean section rate by 50%
- Reduced need for forceps and vacuum delivery by 40%
- Shortened labor
- Reduced need for epidural anesthesia by 60%
- Reduced oxytocin use by 40%
- Helped fathers participate in the birth with increased confidence
- Helped mothers to have a more satisfying birth experience
What a Labor Doula Does…
- A Doula is a professional labor assistant. She provides emotional, physical, intellectual and environmental support during labor and birth.
- She provides emotional support an physical comfort measures by recommending a variety of coping skills and labor management techniques.
- She is there to remind couples of their options.
- She provides support and encouragement for both the mother and her partner. She compliments rather than displaces the partner.
- She understands the physiology of the birth experience and the emotional needs of a woman in labor.
- She provides the resources, techniques, reassurance and continuous empathetic support a laboring woman needs.
- She stays at the mother’s side through-out the entire labor and delivery.
- She is an advocate for the woman by communicating with and working alongside the medical staff.
What a Doula Does Not Do…
As a doula we do not:
- Perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressure, fetal heart checks, vaginal exams, and other. We are there to provide only physical comfort, emotional support and advocacy.
- Make decisions for you. We will help you get the information necessary to make informed decisions. We will also remind you if there is a departure from you Birth Plan.
- Speak to the staff instead of you regarding matters where decisions are being made. We will discuss your concerns with you and suggest options, but you or your partner will speak on your behalf to the clinical staff.
What a Postpartum Doula Does…
A Postpartum Doula brings her experience, companionship and emotional support to parents and their newborns while providing physical, educational and non-judgmental support. Her primary focus is the mother’s recovery from birth and the newborns adjustment to life on the outside. The Doula is well versed in breast or bottle feeding, emotional and physical recovery from birth, sleep guidance, infant soothing and general coping skills. Additionally, she assists with meal preparation, light housework and the general needs of the family during the postpartum period and beyond.