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  

Why have a Doula at your birth?

Studies of laboring women who are attended by a Doula have:  

• A higher satisfaction with birth experience
• Improved communication with medical team
• Shorter labor
• Reduced levels of fear and anxiety
• Lower cesarean birth rates
• Reduced need for vacuum or forceps assistance
• Reduced pain meds and epidural rate
• Lower level of stress hormones
• Higher rate of successful breastfeeding
• Lower rate of postpartum depression
• Improved parent-baby bonding