What is a Doula?

A birth doula services and supports expectant mothers and their partners with emotional and physical challenges regarding child birth. Doulas do not replace the healthcare provider but are an addition to the birth team and help facilitate communication, advocating for the mother’s birthing preferences, and offer comforting support to optimize her childbirth experience. 

Why use a Doula?

Studies have shown that having a professional doula in the delivery room can help:

• Shorten the length of time spent in labor
• Reduce mom’s anxiety
• Lower the rate of medical interventions (including c-sections)
• Improve mother and baby bonding
• Improve the odds for successful breastfeeding
• Help mom to meet her goals and have overall satisfaction with her birth

A Cochrane review found that the best outcomes occur when a woman is supported by a doula along with her partner.

Source – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov