| |
 |
| A Labor Doula is a woman experienced and trained to provides continuous emotional, physical, and informational support to the mother before, during, and just after childbirth. |
|
 |
| Studies have shown that having a doula as part of the birth team has many benefits, such as: |
 |
50% reduction in cesarean rate |
|
Shorter labor (avg. 2 hours shorter in first time mothers) |
|
40% reduction in the need for forceps or vacuum extraction |
|
40% reduction in the need for pitocin |
|
Greater success with breastfeeding |
|
Greater bonding experience with partner and baby |
|
Fewer episiotomies |
|
Lower risk for post partum depression |
|
|
 |
"The doula may be the only person at the labor besides the partner who is there solely for the emotional well-being of the woman. The nurse, the doctor, the midwife have other priorities that compete with the emotional care of the woman: for example, breaks, shift changes, clinical responsibilities, office hours and hospital policies. The doula has few or no other priorities. She stays through shift changes, and until after the baby is born.
She is not just another stranger with the couple. She has the woman's needs as her sole priority. In some cases, the couple will bring several other friends or family members into labor with them. Sometimes these people can be uncertain of how to help which leads to confusion and actually adds to the woman's stress. The doula can direct and coordinate the efforts of a group of people, giving them all something useful to do, so they work as a team on the woman's behalf."
- Penny Simkin
|
|
|
