Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Doula?
The term doula is Greek for slave or servant. My son in law likes that term. However in today's world it translates to, " woman caregiver."
A woman who provides continuous physical , emotional , and informational support to the mother and her partners during pregnancy, labor, birth and afterwards. Doulas enable mothers and their partners to have a less complicated and more rewarding birth with long term benefits.
What can a Doula do for me?
Studies have shown that continuous support during labor provides physical and emotional benefits for both mothers and their babies. They have also shown there are many health bonuses as well. There is less medical interventions, fewer complications and shorter hospital stays.
Studies have also shown that mothers tend to mother their babies better when they themselves have had a continuous support person present during their labors.
Having a trained doula present during labor has shown the following results:
- 50% reduction in the cesarean rate
- 25% shorter labor
- 60% reduction in epidural requests
- 40% reduction in oxytocin use
- 30% reduction in analgesia use
- 40% reduction in forceps delivery
- Decreased need for pain medication
- Enhanced bonding with mother,father and baby
- Improved breastfeeding
The results below show what a difference a Doula can make for breastfeeding, infant health and even with your partner.
No Doula Doula
Feeding Behavior at 6 Weeks
Breast-feeding only 29% 51%
Demand feeding 47% 81%
Feeding food other than milk 53% 18%
Feeding Problems 63% 16%
Average number of days of
breast-feeding only 24 days 32 days
Infant Health Problems at 6 Weeks
Vomiting 28% 4% Colds and Runny Nose 69% 39%
Cough 64% 39% Poor Appetite 25% 0%Diarrhea 33% 19%
Satisfaction with Partner
Before Pregnancy 63% 65%
During Pregnancy 48% 49%
After the baby was born 49% 85%
“The empowerment of laboring women, not the management of childbirth by means of painkillers, leads to satisfactory birth experiences.”
Research conclusion by Belgian scientists in 2007
What's the difference between a doula and a midwife?
A midwife's priority is the physical health of the mother and baby, while a doula's priority is the emotional health of the mother, her partner, and their baby. Doulas are not meant to replace professional medical care. They are soley there for the laboring woman and her partner. They are the one continous voice through out your entire labor.
