DOULA SERVICES

What is a Doula?

A doula is a trained perinatal professional who provides emotional and physical support, advocacy, and educational support during labor and in the postpartum recovery process.

The presence of a doula can be beneficial no matter what type of birth you are planning. Many women report needing fewer interventions when they have one. But be aware that the primary role of the doula is to help mothers have a safe and pleasant birth–not to help them choose the type of birth.

For women who have decided to have a medicated birth, the doula will provide emotional, informational, and physical support through labor and the administration of medications. Doulas work alongside medicated mothers to help them deal with potential side effects. Doulas may also help with other needs where medication may be inadequate because even with medication, there is likely to be some degree of discomfort.

For a mother facing a cesarean, a doula can be helpful by providing constant support and encouragement. Often a cesarean results from an unexpected situation leaving a mother feeling unprepared, disappointed, and lonely. A doula can be attentive to the mother at all times throughout the cesarean, letting her know what is going on throughout the procedure. This can free the partner to attend to the baby and accompany the newborn to the nursery if there are complications.

Research shows that women who have doula support are 50% less likely to deliver prematurely, 36% less likely to deliver low birthweight babies, and 33% more likely to initiate breastfeeding.

In addition to the benefits above, studies show that when a doula is present partners participate with more confidence, mothers have less pre- and postnatal stress, and are less likely to have postpartum mood disorders.