What is a Doula?

The word "doula" comes from an ancient Greek word  meaning "a woman who serves". Now we use it to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous  physical, emotional, and informational support  to the mother before, during and just after the birth of her baby. A doula's purpose is to help the mother to have a safe, memorable and empowering birth experience. 

Current Research

  • Mothers receiving doula care are significantly less likely to feel a loss of control in labor. 
  • Women who receive doula care are 27% less likely to be dissatisfied with their births as compared to women who did not use a doula.
  • Women who have the help of a doula are at a 28% decrease of a cesarean section
  • ​When  a doula is providing care to a mother there is a 9% decrease in the use of any medication for pain relief
  • There is a decrease of 31% in the use of pitocin for mothers who have the help of  a doula.
  • Newborns are at a 14% decrease for being admitted to the NICU. 
  •  Births where a doula is present are generally shorter, less complicated, and many mom’s report, less painful.

What does a doula do?

  • Provides emotional support
  • Uses comfort measures such as massage,  breathing, positioning, movement, and more...
  • Gives evidence based information
  • Continuously reassures and encourages the laboring mother (a doula never leaves a mothers side)
  • Helps mothers become informed about various birth choices and interventions. 
  • Advocates for the mother and helps facilitate communication between the parents and care provider.
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Dads and Doulas

Fathers may at first have some concerns about hiring a doula. Is a doula is going to  replace me in supporting my wife or girlfriend? Is it really necessary to pay someone for a job I can already do? The truth is a doula comes along side the father to assist him in being an active participant in the birth of their baby. For example, a doula may quietly suggest comfort measures that a dad can do. A dad is the   one person with whom the  mom has the strongest, most personal connection. A doula encourages him  to show how much he loves and cares for her by being her comforter.

Read for yourself! 

Evidence Based Birth-The  evidence for doulas
A doula can reduce your risk for c-section
Why use a doula?
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