What is a Birth Doula?

The word "doula" originates from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves". Today, the term refers to a person who assists women before, during, and after childbirth. More specifically, a birth doula provides specialized, continuous support for laboring mothers and their partners during childbirth. Kinds of support provided by a birth doula may include physical assistance and comfort , emotional support, and acting as an advocate for the woman undergoing childbirth. Birth doulas will also meet with you prenatally to educate, support, and offer help with your birth plan so you can have YOUR best birth.

 

Why should I hire a doula?

Numerous studies have documented the benefits of having a doula present during labor. With the support of a doula, women were less likely to have pain relief medications administered, less likely to have a cesarean birth, and reported having a more positive childbirth experience.

 

In one comprehensive study, researchers found that when a doula was present there was a:

50% reduction in cesarean rates

25% reduction in length of labor

40% reduction in the use of forceps

40% reduction in the use of pitocin

60% reduction in requests for epidural anesthesia

30% reduction in the need for any other form of pain medication