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Birth Doula

Why Hire a Doula?

"If a doula was a drug it would be unethical to not use it." - Dr. John H. Kennell

What are the benefits?

A birth doula is a trained experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother/partner before, during and just after birth. Studies have shown that when doulas attend a birth:

  • Labors are shorter
  • Fewer complications arise
  • Less interventions are used
  • Reduction in cesarean 
  • Babies are healthier
  • Breastfeeding is easier
  • Mother's and partners have a greater satisfaction with their birth experience 

What they do NOT do

  • Perform clinical tasks; vaginal exams, fetal heart monitoring, blood pressure, taking a temperature
  • Deliver babies
  • Give medical advice or diagnose conditions
  • Judge you for decisions that you make
  • Let their biases get in the way of caring for you
  • Take over the role of your partner
  • Change shifts

- Resource: Evidence-Based Birth

A Doula's role is to:

  • Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
  • Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth
  • Stays with the woman throughout the labor
  • Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decisions
  • Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers
  • Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience
  • Allows the woman's partner to participate at his/her comfort level
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