What exactly does a doula do?

She massages, presses, squeezes, shifts, fetches, carries, covers, uncovers, and does anything else necessary to keep a laboring mom comfortable, happy, and in a good environment for birth. She brings her experience and training with her to provide the laboring mom and her birthing team the information they need to make well informed decisions. She works along side doctors, midwives and nurses to help the new family have the best birth possible. She helps the new family prepare for birth in advance, and helps the new family adjust to their precious arrival after. That is exactly what a doula does.

How can a doula help me?

Eleven separate research studies have turned up the following proven benefits of expert labor support, such as the support a doula provides.

Effects on Birth Outcomes:

Labors are shorter

Fewer complications

Cesarean rates are reduced

Decreased need for oxytocin to speed up labor

Need for forceps is reduced

Women request less pain medication and epidurals

Effects on the Mother

Greater satisfaction with their birth experience

More positive assessments of their babies

Less postpartum depression

Effects on the Baby

Babies have shorter hospital stays and fewer admissions to special care nurseries

Babies breastfeed more easily

Mothers are more affectionate to their babies

Effects on the Healthcare System

The cost of obstetrical care is dramatically reduced

Women are more pleased with the personalized care doulas offer

These Benefits of Continuous Labor Support are Recognized By:

The World Health Organization

The Medical Leadership Council (an organization of over 1200 U.S. hospitals)

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada

Adapted from: Doula Training Handout, © DONA 2002.  Reproduced with permission.

 

So what’s the bottom line?

Is a doula really worth the fee? How much do doulas usually charge? How does a doula calculate her fee?

Birth doulas are a valuable resource for both home and hospital birth. In addition to providing the emotional support for a smooth birth and transition to new-parenthood, the doula can also help avoid extra costs associated with birth. While we can’t guarantee your birth will be cheaper with a doula than without, statistically speaking you will have a reduced likelihood of needing a cesarean and a reduced need for postpartum assistance and counseling due to depression. These alone can help you recover more quickly so you can get back to the work you love, either in or out of the home. For homebirths, a doula takes a unique role. She fills in where the midwife and her assistant (if present) leave off. They are concerned primarily with the safety of birth, and the doula helps mom and dad cope with labor and provide reassurance in addition to what the midwife may provide.

Click Here to find out how doulas calculate their fees.

Erin Aileen Tcheuffa

dou·la (dū'lə) n.—A woman who assists another woman during labor and provides support to her, the infant, and the family during and after childbirth.