What is a Doula?
A Doula accompanies a woman in labor, mothers the mother, and takes care of her emotional needs throughout childbirth. She provides support and suggestions for partners that can enhance their experiences of the birth. A postpartum Doula continues that valuable emotional support and guidance, helping a family make a smooth transition into new family dynamics. "What is a Doula?" 14 August 2007.
Benefits of a Doula
Although doulas do not provide medical assistance, through loving touch, position and comfort measures they make childbearing bearable.
Numerous clinical studies have found that a doula's presence at birth:
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Results in shorter labors with fewer complications
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Reduces negative feelings about one's birthing experience
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Reduces the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction and cesareans
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Reduces the mother's request for pain medication and/or epidurals
Research
Research shows parents who receive support:
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Feel more secure and cared for
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Are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics
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Have greater success with breastfeeding
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Have greater self-confidence
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Have less postpartum depression
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Have lower incidence of abuse
Benefits of a Birth Doula
Studies have shown that women who have the continuous support – like that of a doula – with them during labor, and birth experienced:
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An overall reduction of 28% in cesarean deliveries;
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A reduction in the length of labor;
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A 31% reduction in the use of Pitocin (a drug used to induce labor);
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A 12% increase in the likelihood of spontaneous vaginal birth, that is, birth without assistance of forceps or vacuum;
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A 9% reduction in the use of pain medications;
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A 14% decrease in the risk of newborns being admitted to a special care nursery
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34% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience*
