Why Hire a Doula?
The review of studies undertaken in 2011 included 21 trials, from 15 countries, involving more than 15,000 women in a wide range of settings and circumstances. They came to the following conclusion:
"Women who received continuous labour support were more likely to give birth ’spontaneously’, i.e. give birth with neither caesarean nor vacuum nor forceps. In addition, women were less likely to use pain medications, were more likely to be satisfied, and had slightly shorter labours. Their babies were less likely to have low 5-minute Apgar Scores."
To read more, see Continuous support for women during childbirth (Review) Copyright © 2011 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
"Women who received continuous labour support were more likely to give birth ’spontaneously’, i.e. give birth with neither caesarean nor vacuum nor forceps. In addition, women were less likely to use pain medications, were more likely to be satisfied, and had slightly shorter labours. Their babies were less likely to have low 5-minute Apgar Scores."
To read more, see Continuous support for women during childbirth (Review) Copyright © 2011 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evidenced-Based Doula CareA labour doula does not diagnose medical conditions, will not give medical advice or second opinions, and will not project her own agenda and values onto the laboring woman. Doulas encourage and support self-advocacy for the couple. Labor doulas work to help the woman have a safe and satisfying birth experience, according to the mother's goals she has set for herself. When a doula is present, many women find there is less need for pain medication, while other women may choose to utilize pain medication to assist them as they labor. A labor doula is also very beneficial to a woman who has chosen pain medication as she continues to labor. Doulas can help minimize the undesirable side effects of pain medications by providing emotional care, maternal positioning, reassurance, comfort measures, and information.
Labor doulas do not replace the mother's partner - her husband, the baby's father, or other friends or loved ones. They work together with family and friends of the mother's choosing and many times this support allows those present to be more actively involved. The partner provides love and support that the labor doula can never provide, as he/she knows the mother intimately and possesses a love that can come from no one else. The labor doula can offer unique help to the partner and friends by providing suggestions for him/her, and allow the partner, loved ones, and friends to participate at their comfort level. The labor doula and the partner, in conjunction with the medical caregivers, form the perfect support system for the laboring mother.
- CAPPA Canada position paper
Labor doulas do not replace the mother's partner - her husband, the baby's father, or other friends or loved ones. They work together with family and friends of the mother's choosing and many times this support allows those present to be more actively involved. The partner provides love and support that the labor doula can never provide, as he/she knows the mother intimately and possesses a love that can come from no one else. The labor doula can offer unique help to the partner and friends by providing suggestions for him/her, and allow the partner, loved ones, and friends to participate at their comfort level. The labor doula and the partner, in conjunction with the medical caregivers, form the perfect support system for the laboring mother.
- CAPPA Canada position paper
