Benefits of a Doula
Continuous social support during labor, as provided by a birth doula has been shown to improve birth outcomes and greatly contribute to positive birth experiences.
Studies have shown that continuous labor support has been associated with a decrease in:
Doula support has also been associated with an increase in:
On a more personal level, continuous labor support, especially from a trained, non-medical support person, leads to birth experiences that are more likely to be rated as positive, higher satisfaction, greater perception of control, better postpartum experience, and an increase in self-perception of personal strength.
Hodnett, Ellen D 2002 Pain and Women’s Satisfaction with the Experience of Childbirth: a Systematic Review. In the Nature and Management of Labor Pain: Peer Reviewed Papers from an Evidence-Based Symposium. A special issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 186(3), part 2.
Hofmeyr, G.J., Nikodem, V.C., Wolman, W.L., Chalmers, B.E., & Kramer, T. 1991 Companionship to modify he clinical birth environment: Effects on progress and perceptions of labour and breast feeding. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 98(8):756-764.
Klaus, Marshall H., John H. Kennell, and Phyllis H. Klaus 1993 Mothering the Mother: How a Doula Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier, and Healthier Birth. Reading, Mass.: Addisson-Wesley Publishing Company.
Continuous social support during labor, as provided by a birth doula has been shown to improve birth outcomes and greatly contribute to positive birth experiences.
Studies have shown that continuous labor support has been associated with a decrease in:
- The use of pain medication
- Labor augmentation with pitocin
- Complications during labor
- Cesarean sections
- Length of labor
Doula support has also been associated with an increase in:
- Breastfeeding initiation and duration
- Increased maternal attachment
On a more personal level, continuous labor support, especially from a trained, non-medical support person, leads to birth experiences that are more likely to be rated as positive, higher satisfaction, greater perception of control, better postpartum experience, and an increase in self-perception of personal strength.
Hodnett, Ellen D 2002 Pain and Women’s Satisfaction with the Experience of Childbirth: a Systematic Review. In the Nature and Management of Labor Pain: Peer Reviewed Papers from an Evidence-Based Symposium. A special issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 186(3), part 2.
Hofmeyr, G.J., Nikodem, V.C., Wolman, W.L., Chalmers, B.E., & Kramer, T. 1991 Companionship to modify he clinical birth environment: Effects on progress and perceptions of labour and breast feeding. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 98(8):756-764.
Klaus, Marshall H., John H. Kennell, and Phyllis H. Klaus 1993 Mothering the Mother: How a Doula Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier, and Healthier Birth. Reading, Mass.: Addisson-Wesley Publishing Company.
About Doulas
The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous care for a laboring woman and her partner.
A doula is not a doctor, nurse or midwife and is not trained to make any medical decisions. A doula's training helps her guide the laboring woman during labor and delivery and helps relieve any uncertainties and anxieties. A doula informs women and families of their choice and rights in birth so that they might make educated choices and formulate personal values. A doula brings a mother and her partner peace of mind regarding their labor, and ensures that they feel mentally and physically supported.
The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous care for a laboring woman and her partner.
A doula is not a doctor, nurse or midwife and is not trained to make any medical decisions. A doula's training helps her guide the laboring woman during labor and delivery and helps relieve any uncertainties and anxieties. A doula informs women and families of their choice and rights in birth so that they might make educated choices and formulate personal values. A doula brings a mother and her partner peace of mind regarding their labor, and ensures that they feel mentally and physically supported.
A Birth Doula:
- Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life
- 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 and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decision
- 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
Partners and Doulas
The woman’s partner (the baby’s father or another loved one) is essential in providing support for the woman. A doula cannot make some of the unique contributions that the partner makes, such as a long-term commitment, intimate knowledge of the woman, and love for her and her child.
The doula is there in addition to, not instead of, the partner.
Ideally, the doula and the partner make the perfect support team for the woman, complementing each other’s strengths.
In the 1960s, the earliest days of fathers’ involvement in childbirth, the expectation was that they would be intimately involved as advisors, coaches and decision-makers for the woman. This turned out to be an unrealistic expectation for most men because they had little prior knowledge of birth or medical procedures and little confidence or desire to ask questions of medical staff. In addition, some men felt helpless and distressed over the women’s pain and were not able to provide the constant reassurance and nurturing that women need. With a doula present, the pressure on the father is decreased and he can participate at his own comfort level.
Fathers often feel relieved when they can rely on a doula for help; they enjoy the experience more. For those fathers who want to play an active support role, the doula assists and guides them in effective ways to help their loved ones in labor.
Partners other than fathers (lovers, friends, family members) also appreciate the doula’s support, reassurance and assistance.
from DONA International's Birth Doula Position Paper
The woman’s partner (the baby’s father or another loved one) is essential in providing support for the woman. A doula cannot make some of the unique contributions that the partner makes, such as a long-term commitment, intimate knowledge of the woman, and love for her and her child.
The doula is there in addition to, not instead of, the partner.
Ideally, the doula and the partner make the perfect support team for the woman, complementing each other’s strengths.
In the 1960s, the earliest days of fathers’ involvement in childbirth, the expectation was that they would be intimately involved as advisors, coaches and decision-makers for the woman. This turned out to be an unrealistic expectation for most men because they had little prior knowledge of birth or medical procedures and little confidence or desire to ask questions of medical staff. In addition, some men felt helpless and distressed over the women’s pain and were not able to provide the constant reassurance and nurturing that women need. With a doula present, the pressure on the father is decreased and he can participate at his own comfort level.
Fathers often feel relieved when they can rely on a doula for help; they enjoy the experience more. For those fathers who want to play an active support role, the doula assists and guides them in effective ways to help their loved ones in labor.
Partners other than fathers (lovers, friends, family members) also appreciate the doula’s support, reassurance and assistance.
from DONA International's Birth Doula Position Paper
Emily A. Bronson, Tampa FL Doula
emily@yourbirthsister.com
© 2015 Emily A. Bronson
