• Decrease in the need for an episiotomy
• Decrease in the use of forceps/vaccuum extractions
• Decrease in neonatal ICU care
• Decrease in ceasarean rate
• Decrease in epidural/pain medication requests
• Decrease in need for pitocin
• Decrease in length of labor
• Decrease in pain and anxiety of labor
• Decrease in length of hospital stay
• Decrease in postpartum depression

*All medical references cited at http://www.dona.org/PDF/BDPositionPaper.pdf

 What is a Doula?

A doula gives women support in labor, providing physical and emotional care to the birthing mother and helping communications between the mother,her family and the hospital staff.  While nurses and doctors change shifts and come and go, a doula remains with a woman in labor continuously until her baby is born.

 Who should have a Doula?

All women benefit from the presence of a doula whether they use pain medication or not.  Having a trained experienced woman supporting you throughout your labor can be the reassurance a mom needs to progress in labor.