What is a Doula?

• A doula is a trained labor assistant
• The role of a doula is to provide physical, emotional and informational support to women and their partners during labor and birth
• A doula offers help and advice on comfort measures such as breathing, relaxation, movement and positioning.
• Doulas will not make decisions for the client or project their own values and goals onto the client
• Doulas do not perform clinical tasks or give medical advice.
• The goal of the doula is to provide the support and information needed to help the birthing mother have a safe and satisfying birth as the mother defines it.

 

Why would you use a Doula?

• A doula serves as an experienced guide to help the couple through the ‘unknown territory’ of childbirth
• Doulas have been shown, in published studies, to provide:
• 50% reduction in cesarean birth
• 30% reduction in requests for pain medication
• 60% fewer requests for epidural anesthesia
• 25% decrease in the length of labor
• 30% decrease in use of Pitocin
• Reduction of medical cost
• Increased breastfeeding success
• Mothers feel more secure and in control
• Result in a more positive birth experience