What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Doula?

Twenty years of research show that having a doula present at the birth of your child can have a significant impact on the birth process:

50% reduction in unnecessary cesarean rate
25% reduction in length of labor
60% reduction in epidural requests
40% reduction in Pitocin use
30% reduction in anesthesia
40% reduction in forceps delivery
Reduced incidences of maternal fever
Reduced the number of days newborns spent in NICU (neo-natal infant care unit)
Reduced the amount of septic workups performed on newborns
Resulted in higher rates of breastfeeding
Resulted in more positive maternal assessments of maternal confidence
Resulted in more positive maternal assessments of maternal and newborn health
Resulted in decreased rates of postpartum depression



During labor, doulas provide comfort with non-medical pain relief techniques, such as positioning with a birth ball, breathing and sound techniques and basic massage and counter pressure techniques.

Marshal Klaus MD and John Kennell MD explain that massage helps stimulate the production of natural Oxytocin. When the pituitary gland secretes natural Oxytocin to the bloodstream it causes uterine contractions and also secretes it to the brain. This results in a feeling of well- being and greater pain threshold. Because synthetic Oxytocin cannot cross into the blood stream and brain, it increases contractions without the positive psychological effects of natural Oxytocin.

*It is a well-known and well-documented* fact that a Doula can positively influence birth outcomes.
Having a Doula at your birth can mean:
 

• shorter labor

• reduced likelihood of a cesarean section

• reduced likelihood of epidural analgesia
• reduced likelihood of pain medications of any kind
• reduced likelihood of a forceps or vacuum assisted birth
• It is an increased likelihood of a childbirth experience that you would rate as satisfying or positive.

Whatever your goals for birth — natural or medicated — a Doula can be instrumental in achieving a satisfying and rewarding experience.