About Doulas

Simply put a birth doula is a trained labor coach or assistant. Her role is to support the mother and family through the process of labor, birth, and the immediate postpartum period.

Doulas are trained to provide emotional support, physical support, and comfort measures to assist a laboring mother. Often times doulas are associated with single moms, teen moms, and low income mothers. However, many doulas attend births with couples to support both the laboring mother and her partner. Birth is a transition not only for a mother, but for her partner, her family, and her community.  The birth doula can support a partner to participate at a level that he or she is most comfortable at so they can fully enjoy the process.

Birth doulas believe in the natural process that is birth. She believes that the woman's body is capable of giving birth without medical intervention. She keeps the mother informed, empowers her to make decisions about her labor, and gives her the confidence to birth and to be a mother. A doula does not make decisions or force ideals on a mother, she will support the mother and family in whatever choices they make about the progress of their labor. That said, a doula can support a mother who chooses a natural birth, a medicated birth, and even mothers having a c-section. The value of a doula during the birth of a child and the birth of the family can not be overstated.

Benefits of Having a Doula

50% reduction in the number of c-sections

25% shorter labor

60% reduction in epidural requests

40% reduction in oxytocin use

30% reduction in analgesia use

40% reduction in forceps/vacuum deliver

Mothers who choose to breastfeed have a higher success rate.

Partners feel closer and more confident with their child, and more confident as parents.

How can the presence of a doula have all of these benefits? By encouraging optimal fetal positioning, informing a laboring mother of her choices, and practicing an array of relaxation and coping techniques, a woman can deliver without the aid of medication, and medical interventions. Doulas also work with mothers planning to have an epidural, because no matter what, birth is big business and families need the continuous and compassionate care a doula provides. I have included an info page about epidurals and doula support for you to look over as well.

Please visit www.dona.org to learn more about doulas and benefits of doula support.