“My husband is my right hand and my Doula is my left”
he Essential Ingredient: Doula
From DONA International
A Doula (also called Childbirth Assistants, Labor Coaches, Birth Companion or Labor Support Professionals) is a woman who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support during pregnancy, labor and birth, and postpartum. Doula comes from the Greek word meaning female servant or women serving other women. Doulas support women through all types of labors and deliveries - medicated, un-medicated, intervention free, induction, c-section (scheduled or emergency), vaginal delivery, assisted delivery, etc.
A Doula does not replace a partner.
Instead, she helps support the partner so that he or she can love and encourage the laboring woman. A Doula offers massage, suggestions for position changes, relaxation techniques, reminders to stay hydrated and eat, a reassuring touch and other resources. She also believes in a woman’s ability to birth her baby and helps the woman trust herself and her body.
Studies have shown that having a Doula can decrease:
From DONA International
A Doula (also called Childbirth Assistants, Labor Coaches, Birth Companion or Labor Support Professionals) is a woman who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support during pregnancy, labor and birth, and postpartum. Doula comes from the Greek word meaning female servant or women serving other women. Doulas support women through all types of labors and deliveries - medicated, un-medicated, intervention free, induction, c-section (scheduled or emergency), vaginal delivery, assisted delivery, etc.
A Doula does not replace a partner.
Instead, she helps support the partner so that he or she can love and encourage the laboring woman. A Doula offers massage, suggestions for position changes, relaxation techniques, reminders to stay hydrated and eat, a reassuring touch and other resources. She also believes in a woman’s ability to birth her baby and helps the woman trust herself and her body.
Studies have shown that having a Doula can decrease:
- Analgesia or Anesthesia use
- Cesarean birth
- Pitocin use
- Forceps or Vacuum Extractor use
- Length of Labor
- Incidence of Postpartum Depression
- Levels of Anxiety
- Successful Breastfeeding
- A more positive birth experience
- Higher chance of spontaneous vaginal birth
- Having higher regard and increased sensitivity toward baby
**Look here for a great article about the wonderful things that doulas do for families!**
Facts Above Supported by:
- Dona International’s Position Paper (click to read)
- Childbirth Connection’s Quick Facts about Continuous Labor Support
- Also check out vbac.com's article on Doulas reducing your odds of a cesearan birth.
- And read the statement from ACOG concerning one of the most effective tools of reducing the cesearan rate - Doulas!
- ICAN wrote an article on Doulas - check it out here!
- Lamaze has an article about Doulas helping during c-sections. Read it here!
- ICAN has an article on Doulas and c-sections. Read it here!