• A doula...

   

  • Recognizes birth as a key life experience that the mother will remember all her life...
  • Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor...
  • Assists the woman and her partner in preparing for and carrying out their plans for the birth...
  • Stays by the side of the laboring woman throughout the entire labor...
  • Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, an objective viewpoint and assistance to the woman in getting the information she needs to make good decisions...
  • Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and clinical care providers...
  • Perceives her role as one who nurtures and protects the woman's memory of her birth experience...

The acceptance of doulas in maternity care is growing rapidly with the recognition of their important contribution to the improved physical outcomes and emotional well-being of mothers and infants.

Studies show that having a Doula can:
    Reduce your chances of a cesarean birth by 50%.
    Decrease your need for pain medications.
    Decrease your chances of having an episiotomy.
    Shorten the length of your labor.
    Lessen the chances of an extended hospital stay for both you and your baby.
    Help you to have a more satisfying birth experience.

Related Sites

• Childbirth.org
  • Educating yourselves to be good consumers, knowing your options, and how to provide yourselves with the best possible care are essential to a healthy pregnancy.
• Dona.org
  • We are the oldest, largest and most respected doula association in the world.
• Doulaworld.com
  • Informational site to help answer your questions.