What is a Birth Doula?
A birth doula is a trained labor coach who assists you during labor and delivery. She provides you with continuous emotional support, as well as assistance with other non-medical aspects of your care. She can provide guidance that will help you make informed decisions about birth options and resources. While she’ll never make any decisions on your behalf, a doula can also serve as a liaison and communicate your wishes with the rest of the birthing team.
Let's not forget statistics!
What Are The Benefits Of Having A Doula?
We are loving this new article from Evidence Based Birth
ACOG thinks we're pretty cool too! "The recommendations also suggest that women benefit from continuous emotional support and the use of non-pharmacologic methods to manage pain. Support offered by trained labor coaches such as doulas has been associated with improved birth outcomes, including shortened labor and fewer operative deliveries"
Numerous clinical studies have shown the use of a doula during labor and delivery can have the following beneficial effects:
50% reduction in the cesarean rate
25% shorter labor
60% reduction in epidural requests
40% reduction in synthetic oxytocin use
30% reduction in analgesia use
40% reduction in forceps & vacuum delivery
Long term benefits:
* Improved breastfeeding
* Increased time spent with baby
* Increased maternal satisfaction with birth experience
* Decreased postpartum depression