What is a doula?
A doula (DOO-la) is a professional labor assistant. She literally 'mothers the mother' by providing support before, during, and after a birth.
What Does a Doula Do?
• A doula is an educated birth professional who seeks to honor all births.
• A doula provides emotional and physical support to a woman in labor.
• Doulas provide information about healthy pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care to families.
• Doulas help facilitate the mother's birth plan.
By utilizing a doula, a woman can experience:
• A doula provides emotional and physical support to a woman in labor.
• Doulas provide information about healthy pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care to families.
• Doulas help facilitate the mother's birth plan.
By utilizing a doula, a woman can experience:
• 50% reduction in cesarean rates
• 25% shorter labor
• 60% reduction in epidural requests
• 40% reduction in artificial oxytocin (Pitocin) usage
• 30% reduction in analgesia (drug) usage
• 40% reduction in forceps delivery
What Does a Doula NOT Do?
• A doula does not replace the mother's birth partner; she provides support to the laboring couple.
• A doula does not provide medical or midwifery care or do physical evaluations.
• A doula does not make decisions for the family, but rather provides information to help them in their choices.
• A doula does not provide medical or midwifery care or do physical evaluations.
• A doula does not make decisions for the family, but rather provides information to help them in their choices.
know your options ~ trust your body ~ love your birth