Benefits of a Doula

The definition of a doula is a person who provides continuous non-medical, physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during, and just after birth. The doulas role is to make the birth experience personal and memorable, to reduce negative feelings about the experience, and to make the mother feel secure and well cared for. A woman in labor needs continuous emotional and physical support for a positive experience. Although OB nurses are trained to deal with these needs, they rarely can guarantee continuous attention. In addition to paperwork, shift changes, and clinical duties, Some handle up to 6 simultaneous laboring couples. A doula, on the other hand, can be available continuously through the entire labor experience. Needs vary with a mother's personal situation, so there are three types of doulas; antepartum, labor, postpartum.

Doulas can be especially helpful for mothers when a more experienced female relative might not be able to attend the birth. In cases where doulas attended birth, studies have shown the following benefits:

shorter labor
fewer complications
healthier babies
fewer cesareans
easier breastfeeding
lower rates of fetal distress and fewer are admitted to neonatal intensive care units
reduced the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction and cesareans

Doulas can provide the following support services:

helps the mother's partner participate at his/her comfort level
trained to understand emotional needs during labor and physiology of labor
assists in planning and arranging for birth
attends labor, provides physical comfort measures, emotional support, provides information mother needs to make informed decisions, provides objective perspective
Exercise and physical suggestions to make pregnancy and childbirth more comfortable
Massage and other non-pharmacological pain relief measures
Positioning suggestions during labor and birth
Support the partner so that s/he can provide support and encouragement to the laboring woman
Help to avoid unnecessary interventions
Help with breastfeeding preparation and beginning
Some doulas offer a written record of the birth (birth story
Is present during entire labor and afterwards as long as is needed by parent(s
facilitates communication between parents and health care providers (medical professionals)