What is a doula?
A doula is a woman, trained and/or experienced in childbirth, who supports women during the childbearing year. A doula offers her mind, her heart, and her hands, for the well-being of the mother. A doula does not provide any clinical or medical care, and is different from a midwife, doctor, or nurse. A doula "mothers the mother", in a knowledgable, supportive, compassionate, and non-judgemental way. (Definition courtesy of Sarah Strogryn, Embrace Birth Doula Care)
What can a doula do?
Studies show that a trained birth doula can provide many benefits, such as:
- 50% reduction in cesarean rate
- 25% shorter labor
- 60% reduction in epidural requests
- 40% reduce in oxytocin use
*Information obtained from Mothering the Mother: How a Doula Can Help You Have an Easier, Shorter, and Healthier Birth, Klaus, Kennel, and Klaus