What is a Labor Doula?

A Labor Doula is a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after childbirth. Trained Doulas understand the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor. Generally, Doulas believe that pregnancy and birth are normal, natural and healthy processes. This includes preparation for birth helping the laboring woman with encouragement, comfort measures, relaxation techniques, and an objective viewpoint, as well as support after childbirth, such as help with breastfeeding.

What are the benefits of a Doula?

There are many physical and emotional benefits to using a Doula. Some of these benefits of using a Doula include:

• Shorter labor
• Decreased risk of cesarean delivery
• Decreased use of pain medication
• Increased participation in birth process by Father or Birth Partner
• Increased success in breastfeeding
• Greater satisfaction about the birth
• Decreased risk of assisted delivery (forceps or vacuum extractor)
• Reduced use of pitocin

*Photo Credit: Belly Blossoms Photagraphy 2017 by Roberta Sakaguchi.*
www.bellyblossomsphotography.com/