Benefits of Having a Doula

What Is A Labor Support Doula?

A Doula is a specially trained woman who accompanies a woman and/or couple during labor to provide educational, emotional and physical support. Our continuous, knowledgeable, and reassuring presence makes a dramatic difference on how confident and comfortable a woman feels during labor and birth.

Benefits Of Having A Trained Doula:

• Shorter length of labor
• Less use or request for pain medications
• Less inductions and augmentations of labor
• Fewer assisted deliveries
• Lower Cesarean rate
• Increase in successful VBAC.
• Doula support has been linked to better parenting and higher satisfaction with outcome of the birth in general.

What Does A Doula Do?

• A Doula does not interfere with, or replace the support person, but instead works with him/her to create a strong and supportive team.
• A Doula does not leave Mom, giving consistent support. The support person can take a break, get something to eat, make calls, etc, without worrying about mom being left alone.
• A Doula helps keep Mom calm with relaxation, massage, acupressure, and emotional support. Educational support is also a major factor in keeping the laboring couples calm and informed.
• If the support person forgets the technique, the Doula refreshes the support person's memory to enable him/her to be effective for mom.
• The Doula can be contracted to help moms who may not have a support person available.
• If mom desires an un-medicated birth, the help of a Doula greatly increases the chances of her success
• The success of a VBAC (Vaginal Birth after Cesarean) is higher.
  The Doula helps in significant ways, protecting your experience. Acting as your advocate and providing support for mom, the support person, and family members.
• If you decide to use medications, the Doula will fully inform you of alt the options so you can make the best decision for your personal needs.

How Does A Doula Service Work?

Mom/couple set up a meeting with the Doula to become acquainted and discuss your priorities and desires. We will review any childbirth education and design a personal birth plan.
Once contracted, the Doula will be on call as your due date approaches. Constant phone support is available. There will always be a backup Doula on call as well. Because we are a team of Doulas, we can guarantee that you will not be alone.
Once mom is in labor, we are by your side until after the baby's birth. We stay 1-2 hours after the birth or until mom is comfortable with our leaving. A follow up visit, as well as phone support when needed, completes the service.

We recommend that you interview a few of the doulas. You want to find the right doula for you, and our doulas are very diverse in their backgrounds, life experiences and personalities. Please email or call an assortment of doulas. You can make that first contact by email or phone, set up a 'meet and greet' and decide who is the right doula for you! Once you've made your decision, you can do a fuller pre-meeting and the personalization of your birth will start at that point.