Why Use a Doula?
According to DONA:
Women have complex needs during childbirth and the weeks that follow. In addition to medical care and the love and companionship provided by their partners, women need consistent, continuous reassurance, comfort, encouragement and respect. They need individualized care based on their circumstances and preferences.
DONA International doulas are educated and experienced in childbirth and the postpartum period. We are prepared to provide physical (non-medical), emotional and informational support to women and their partners during labor and birth, as well as to families in the weeks following childbirth. We offer a loving touch, positioning and comfort measures that make childbearing women and families feel nurtured and cared for.
Numerous clinical studies have found that a doula’s presence at birth
- tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications
- reduces negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience
- reduces the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction and cesareans
- reduces the mother’s request for pain medication and/or epidurals
Research shows parents who receive support can:
- Feel more secure and cared for
- Are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics
- Have greater success with breastfeeding
- Have greater self-confidence
- Have less postpartum depression
- Have lower incidence of abuse
* 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
6 weeks after birth, mothers who had doulas were:
- Less anxious and depressed
- More confident with baby
- More satisfied with partner (71% vs. 30%)
- More likely to be breastfeeding (52% vs. 29%)
-------> Click this link http://www.pregnancytoday.com/articles/professionals-and-policies/why-hire-a-doula-2266/ to read Penny Simkin "Why Hire A Doula?"
