What are the benefits of hiring a doula?
It is well known in the birthing community that doulas are a unique and vital part of the birth team. Evidence clearly shows that having a doula decreases a woman's chances of experiencing complications - making pregnancy, birth and the first weeks with her newborn easier.
“In spite of all the modern obstetrical methods to speed up labour – which include the artificial rupture of membranes, augmentation of the strength of contractions with oxytocin, and the use of forceps or delivery by cesarean section – the mothers with the shortest labour in our study were again those women who had a doula present throughout their labour.” - Mothering the Mother
There is such value in having a trained doula as part of a woman's birth journey. Studies consistently demonstrate very impressive benefits for the mother and baby, including:
“I couldn't and wouldn't practice obstetrics today without doulas. They give me the confidence of knowing the labouring mother is not frightened or alone, and is always in the capable hands of a professional doula. The quality and continuity of care should not be regarded as a ‘fringe benefit,’ ‘an extra,’ but as an essential and irreplaceable part of the birthing experience.” Harlan Ellis, M.D. quoted in Special Women by Polly Perez
6 weeks after birth, mothers who had doulas were:
“The evidence for doulas comes from more than eleven carefully designed studies: Quite simply, hiring one cuts in half the odds of you having an unnecessary cesarean…In the typical birthing unit, the doula you bring with you may be the only person whose sole responsibility is to make you more comfortable and to help you labour as effectively as possible.” - Ina May Gaskin
“In spite of all the modern obstetrical methods to speed up labour – which include the artificial rupture of membranes, augmentation of the strength of contractions with oxytocin, and the use of forceps or delivery by cesarean section – the mothers with the shortest labour in our study were again those women who had a doula present throughout their labour.” - Mothering the Mother
There is such value in having a trained doula as part of a woman's birth journey. Studies consistently demonstrate very impressive benefits for the mother and baby, including:
- a reduction in caesarean section by 50%
- a reduction in forceps use by 40%
- a reduction in epidural requests by 60%
- a reduction in the use of synthetic oxytocin for inductions or augmentation of labour by 40%
- a reduction in the use of pain medication by 30%
- a reduction in the duration of labour by 25%
- increased rates of breastfeeding at 6 weeks postpartum
- decreased rates of postnatal depression and anxiety at 6 weeks postpartum
“I couldn't and wouldn't practice obstetrics today without doulas. They give me the confidence of knowing the labouring mother is not frightened or alone, and is always in the capable hands of a professional doula. The quality and continuity of care should not be regarded as a ‘fringe benefit,’ ‘an extra,’ but as an essential and irreplaceable part of the birthing experience.” Harlan Ellis, M.D. quoted in Special Women by Polly Perez
6 weeks after birth, mothers who had doulas were:
- Less anxious and depressed, experiencing higher self esteem
- More confident with their baby and their ability to cope
- More satisfied with their partner
- More likely to be breastfeeding easily
- Experiencing improved mother/baby bonding and wellbeing
“The evidence for doulas comes from more than eleven carefully designed studies: Quite simply, hiring one cuts in half the odds of you having an unnecessary cesarean…In the typical birthing unit, the doula you bring with you may be the only person whose sole responsibility is to make you more comfortable and to help you labour as effectively as possible.” - Ina May Gaskin