Pregnant? You deserve a doula!! Doula is a Greek word whose definintion has come to mean a woman who helps other women. A doula is a trained professional that provides informational, physical & emotional support to a woman & her birth partner during pregnancy, childbirth & early postpartum. A doula provides CONTINUOUS support through labor, birth & the early postpartum period!

 

Studies show that having a doula present for your birth:

 

• Reduces your chance of having a c-section by 45%

• Reduces your need for pain medication by 31%

• Reduces your length of labor by 25%

• Reduces the request for epidural by 10-60%

• Reduces the use of Oxytocin by 50%

• Reduces the need for forceps by 34%

 

Studies have also linked doula care with improved success with breastfeeding & a decrease in postpartum depression.

 

These convincing research findings about the many benefits of doula care confirm these conclusions: doula support enhances the well-being of mothers & babies, leads to fewer medical interventions in the process of labor & delivery & saves money. These findings provide a strong argument for expansion of doula services!

 

 

Klaus,M.H.,M.D.;Kennell,J.H.,M.D.; and Klaus,P.H.,C.S.W. THE DOULA BOOK. Da Capo Press, 2002.