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What is a doula?

A labor support doula offers one-on-one support for a woman in labor as well as her partner and family. Doulas provide continuous, care to the laboring woman and her partner, helping them participate fully in their experience by offering physical and emotional support and information about the birth process and their available options. Doulas also typically support pregnant women through portions of the prenatal and postpartum period. 

Why hire a doula?

Women who use birth doulas are more satisfied with their birth experience, require fewer interventions during labor and delivery, and have higher rates of breastfeeding than women without doula support.*

Benefits of hiring a doula
 

Women who are continuously supported by a birth doula through labor are:

• 41% less likely to give birth with vacuum extraction or forceps

• 26% less likely to give birth by cesarean section

• 28% less likely to use any pain medications (epidural/spinal anesthetic and narcotic analgesia)

• 33% less likely to be dissatisfied with or negatively rate their birth experience

Additionally, women with doula support experience the following after the birth of their child:

*Hodnett ED, Gates S, Hofmeyr G J, Sakala C. Continuous support for women during childbirth [PDF]. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2003, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD003766. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003766.