FAQs

It has been shown, women provided with continuous labor support via a doula are:

• 28% less likely to have a cesarean section 
• 31% less likely to use synthetic oxytocin (Pitocin) to speed up labor  
• 9% less likely to use any pain medication 
• 34% less likely to rate their childbirth experience negatively 

"Continuous support during labor has clinically meaningful benefits for women and infants and no known harm. All women should have support throughout labor and birth" 

(Hodnett and colleagues, 2011)

The Greek word doula means woman who serves or woman caregiver. A birth 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 partner in preparing for and carrying out their plans for 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 

 A doula does not:

• Perform clinical tasks of any sort (vaginal exams, blood pressure readings, diagnosis, recommend treatments, interpret charts, etc) while working as your doula. 
• Make decisions for you -- I will provide you with information, to help you make informed decisions for yourself, and will support your preferences. 
• Speak for you or ask questions on your behalf -- I will become familiar with your preferences, for labor and birth, and advocate for you. 
• Replace your partner -- if you have a partner or birth support person that will be in attendance at the birth, I will work with their comfort levels to reinforce their role in the labor. A doula is not a replacement for the love and history you may have with your partner. 

A doula is not a replacement for the love and history you have with your partner. I will work with your partner's comfort levels to reinforce their role in the labor.  They can be as hands on or hands off as they would like. The doula is the only person at the labor beside the partner who is there solely for the emotional well-being of the woman. The care providers have other priorities that compete with the emotional care of the woman. Additionally, by making sure the partner's needs are met (food, drink, rest, reassurance), the woman and partner can actually work more closely together. 

As wonderful as the provider is, they have other priorities that compete with the laboring woman's emotional care. For example, breaks, shift changes, clinical responsibilities, charting, office hours, and hospital policies may conflict. The doula has few or no other priorities. She stays through the shift changes, until the baby is born. She is not just another stranger with the couple. She has the woman's needs as her sole priority.

Absolutely! In these situations, your doula will:

• Help with breathing techniques and relaxation 
• Provide various comfort measures
• Provide reassurance and support for your decision
• Guidance in position changes, as desired
• Help with advocacy between you and your care providers

Your doula will stay until you get settled, and then provide you the space to enjoy meeting your new baby! I am happy to help you protect the golden hour, share photos, answer questions, and make sure mom & dad have what they need. We will touch base again at your postpartum visit in a few days.