"If you don't know your options, you don't have any...." from A Good Birth, A Safe Birth

What is a Doula?

Doula (pronounced Doo-lah) is a Greek word meaning "woman servant" .  A doula is an experienced professional who supports and nurtures new and expectant families through guidance, education and hands-on assistance. A doula can support a family through, pregnancy, labor and the post-partum period.

A Birth Doula

• Recognizes Birth as a key life experience that mother will remember her entire life

• Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor

• Assists the woman and her partner in preparing for and carrying out the plans for the birth

• Stays by the side of the laboring woman (and couple) throughout the entire labor

• Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, an objective viewpoint, and assistance to the woman in getting the information she needs to make informed decisions

• Perceives her role as one who nurtures and protects the woman's birth experience

Benefits of Labor Support

• 50% reduction in cesarean rate

• 25% decrease in length of labor

• 40% decrease in use of forceps

• 40% decrease in the use of pitocin

• 60% decrease in the use of epidurals

In addition, other benefits of Labor Support include:

• Improved breastfeeding

• Enhanced Parent/infant bonding

• Greater Maternal Satisfaction with birth experience

• Reduced need for pain medication

• Fewer episiotomies

• Improved neonatal outcomes

From "Mothering the Mother:  How a Doula can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier and Healthier Birth" by Marshal Klaus, MD, Phyllis Klaus, M. Ed. and John Kennell, MD, NY Addison Wesley, 1993

A doula can make all the Difference!

Just the presence of a caring and knowledgeable person can make all the difference in the birth outcome!

A doula creates a bubble of security around the couple; enhancing their birthing atmosphere and ensuring their confidence, by knowing they have an experiences knowledgeable person by their side at all times.

Doula Services Include:

• An initial interview (no obligation)

• At least 2 prenatal visits to understand your birth wishes

• Help with creating a birth plan

• Lending Library of books and videos

• Phone counseling and e-mail support as needed

• Assistance during labor and birth

• Photography during labor

• 1-2 post partum visits to share memories and answer questions

• Breastfeeding support is also available

• Belly casting services are also available

Dads:  Are you worried about what you will do if you have a doula?  A doula can be your best friend in the delivery room!  Click here to learn more!

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Copyright © 2004 The Happy Home Pregnancy and Parenting Services
Last modified: 10/14/07