~ Benefits of a Doula ~

“Women never forget giving birth.
And how a woman is treated during this trans-formative experience ~ whether she feels cared for,
nurtured and empowered during birth or directed, coerced and ignored ~ matters more than whether a mother labors
with drugs or without, or whether her baby comes out vaginally or by Cesarean-section.”
~ Penny Simkin ~
  • 25% Shorter Labors with fewer complications
  • Reduction in Cesarean Births by as much as 50%
  • Reduces mother’s request for pain medication and/or epidurals by 60%
  • Reduced need for Pitocin (a labor-inducing drug) by 40%, as well as interventions such as forceps, vacuum extraction and cesareans
  • 40% Reduction in Forceps or Vacuum Extraction Deliveries
  • Decrease in the incidences of postpartum depression
  • Reduction in the number of days newborns spend in the NICU
  • Decrease in the number of septic workups performed on newborns
  • Higher maternal assessments of baby when compared to the “standard baby”
  • Birth progressing naturally due to feeling secure and cared for
  • Encouraged support and involvement for birthing dad/partner
  • Greater self-confidence
  • Better understanding of the options available before, during and after the birth
  • Increase in maternal confidence and endurance
  • Promotion of skin-to-skin contact directly after birth
  • Better maternal/paternal – infant interaction
  • Greater satisfaction with ones birth experience
  • More positive success in adapting to the new family dynamic
  • Increase in the number of mothers who choose to breastfeed
  • Greater success with breastfeeding and an increase in the length of time that a mother and baby will breastfeed
  • Empower through nonclinical birthing advocacy

According to The American Pregnancy Association

Numerous studies have documented the benefits of having a Doula present during labor. In a recent Cochrane Review, dated October 17, 2012, it was determined that continuous support for women during Childbirth, showed a very high number of positive birth outcomes when a Doula was present. Having the support of a Doula, women were less likely to have pain relief medications administered, due to the touch and massage received for their Doula companions increasing the release of natural and true oxytocin. Women were less likely to have a cesarean birth, they experienced faster labor progression and women reported having a more positive and satisfying childbirth experience. Babies also scored better on their Apgar screenings.

A Care Provider and a Doula?

A Midwife or OBGYN is responsible for the care and safety of the mother and baby throughout pregnancy, during birth, and postpartum. A Doula is responsible for the emotional and physical support of the laboring woman and her family and/or postpartum care of the mother and baby. Doula care has been shown to improve outcomes for both moms and babies in many studies. The role of the Midwife and Doula are quite different in the labor process and most Midwives recommend that their clients consider having a Doula for their birth. A Doula comes earlier, stays longer after the birth, and provides hands on support to meet the emotional and physical needs of labor, whereas the Midwife is tending to the care and safety of the process for mother and baby. Having both the care of a Midwife and the support of a Doula, sets things in motion for the most positive and successful birth experience that you desire. Many OBGYN’s/Family Physicians are also discovering the great number of benefits in having a Doula attend to their clients during the labor process.

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Loving & Nurturing Support
Photo by Ashllina Rochelle Photographie

“And a woman shall surrender to the power that is within her  …
And like a Blooming Water Lily, her body will open …”
                                                                                       ~ Shelby Miller, Doula
“I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” ~ Psalm 139:14