Doula Benefits

Evidence-based research shows that having continuous companionship of another woman (a doula) during labor offers the following benefits:

Reduction in cesarean rates (up to 50%)
Fewer requests for epidurals (up to 60%)
Shorter Labor (25% - 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours)
Reduction in oxytocin/pitocin use
Neonatal hospitalization and rate of complications reduced
Fewer forceps/vacuum deliveries
Increased rate of breastfeeding
Reduction in postpartum depression

References
1.) Kennell, J.H.; Klaus, M.H.; McGrath, S.K.; Robertson, S.S.; Hinkley, C.W. "Continuous Emotional Support during Labor in a U.S. Hospital." Journal of the American Medical Association 265(1991):2197-2201
2.) Sosa, R.; Kennell, J.H.; Robertson, S.; Urrutia, J. "The Effect of a Supportive Companion on Perinatal Problems, Length of Labor and Mother-Infant Interaction." New England Journal of Medicine 303(1980):597-600

Adding a doula to your birth team provides greater satisfaction, and can often reduce health care costs.

Does this mean that you will not have interventions during your birth? No, every birth is different and some births do need interventions. A doula will not "Stop" you from having them, but they may help depending on the circumstance.

Aspects of Supportive Care	Support Person
Aspects of Supportive Care	Doula	Partner	Hospital Nurse	Hospital Midwife	Hospital MD	Out-of- Hospital Caregiver	Chosen Relative/ Friend
Is free to be continuously present	+	+	-	?	-	+	+
Gives priority to warm, nurturing, encouraging behavior	+	?	?	?	?	+	+
You already know and feel comfortable with this person	+	+	-	?	?	+	+
Knows your preferences, concerns, priorities	+	+	-	?	?	+	+
Facilitates communication with caregiver	+	?	+	n.a	n.a.	n.a.	?
Enhances partner's participation; looks after partner's needs	+	n.a.	-	-	-	?	?
Understands and works to enhance emotional aspects of labor	+	?	?	+	?	+	?
Knows and uses comfort measures and strategies to promote progress	+	?	?	+	?	+	?
Has much experience with laboring women	+	-	+	+	+	+	-
Is able to remain calm, objective	+	-	+	+	+	+	-
Is responsible only to you	+	+	-	-	-	-	+
Involves no added cost for support services	?	+	+	+	+	+	+

Key:	+	generally provides this component
	-	generally cannot or does not provide this component
	?	varies, and may be impossible to know in advance
	n.a.	not applicable

This table is from www.ChildbirthConnection.org

Table adapted with permission from the ICEA Position Statement: The Role and Scope of the Doula, (1999) published by International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA), PO Box 20048, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55420 USA 952/854-8660. Original table by Penny Simkin, PT, CD (DONA).