What is a Doula?
“The word “doula” comes from the ancient Greek meaning “a woman who serves” and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth.”
– DONA International
A professional birth doula is trained in how to support families during pregnancy, labor, and the immediate postpartum period. A doula provides unbiased, evidence-based support so that you can make your
own informed decisions that are in-line with your family’s goals and values.
A certified doula’s skills include pain relief techniques, effective positioning for labor and birth, massage, relaxation techniques, the use of various acupressure points, breastfeeding support, and much more. A doula is attentive to your hopes and fears and is respectful of your choices.
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Why Use a Doula?
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) recently released a joint statement:
“Published data indicate that one of the most effective tools to improve labor and delivery outcomes is the continuous presence of support personnel, such as a doula.”
“…the presence of continuous one-on-one support during labor and delivery was associated with improved patient satisfaction and a statistically significant reduction in the rate of cesarean delivery.”
Studies of laboring women who are attended by a Doula have:

Shorter Labor
A higher satisfaction with birth experience, reduced levels of fear and anxiety, and shorter labors.

Higher Rate of Successful Breastfeeding
Higher rate of successful breastfeeding, improved parent-baby bonding, and lower rate of postpartum depression.

Reduced Pain Meds and Epidural Rate
Improved communication with medical team, reduced use of pain medications and epidurals, and lower cesarean birth rates.
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