Everyone has their own reason for choosing a doula. Single mothers may choose a doula because they have no other support people.  First-time mothers may prefer the experience and knowledge of someone that has been trained in childbirth.  Couples may choose a doula because they want the father's focus to be on the loving, tender encouragement only he can give.  Women who have had previous birth experiences that were less than ideal may choose a doula to avoid repeating those situations.  Even mothers who have had positive birth experiences in the past may realize that a doula could be just the thing they were missing before. 


                            

  Does a doula replace the father, partner, friend or relative?

  No!  Doulas do not replace that special support person in any way. Your chosen support person knows more about your personal likes, dislikes, and needs.  He/She may have the hardest job (other than the mom) at the birth -- supporting her while worrying about her.  A doula is there to reassure and take the pressure off, allowing the special support person to do what they do best -- love and encourage the laboring woman.  Having a doula will strengthen that person's confidence level and diminish stress.
    

Statistics show that having a professional doula
present during labor provides you
with the following benefits *:

25% shorter labor

40% reduction in analgesia use

40% reduction in forceps delivery

50% reduction in the cesarean rate

60% reduction in epidural requests

*Information obtained from "Mothering The Mother: 
How a Doula Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier
and Healthier Birth", Klaus, Kennell and Klaus 

                                                                  

More reasons to have a doula:

¤Mother’s satisfaction with her partner at six weeks postpartum goes from 49% to 85% with a birth doula

 ¤The percentage of mothers who say their relationship with their partner was better right after birth goes up from 30% to 71% with the addition of a doula

¤Shorter hospital stays and fewer admissions to special care nurseries due to less medical intervention during birth

¤Infant/mother togetherness increased (infants spend less time in the hospital nursery)

¤Increased success of breastfeeding through the first year of life

¤Increased father involvement with care of the baby in the first three months of life

¤Greater incident of secure attachment with both parents due to a satisfying birth experience, assistance with breastfeeding and demonstration of attached parenting techniques



           


Can we interest you in a doula?