Birth doulas are an increasing popular idea for laboring women. Some birth facilities offervolunteer birth doulas. But what is a birth doula, what can they do to help you in labor and are there any doula statistics?
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A birth doula is a professional labor coach hired by an expectant women or couple to “assist” with physical, emotional and informational support. They are not midwives or nurses, have no medical training and cannot do anything medical during your birth. They’re there to help with comfort techniques, answer non-medical questions and help you have the birth you want.
Doulas aren’t there to take the place of your partner or labor coach, but to help facilitate. Doulas try to meet with couples ahead of time to figure out what you want her to do. Do you want her to be the main coach and your partner waits out in the waiting room until the baby is born? Or do you want your partner to be the main coach and your doula is back-up for them? Or do you want your doula and partner to work as team? Many women find that in labor they need to more than one person to help them. Click here for an article about dads and doulas.
There are a lot of great reasons why a couple would choose a birth doula, including doula statistics.
- Helps the coach
A doula takes pressure off the coach to remember everything, support their partner through their own exhaustion and stress and push their own emotions to the side. - Unwavering support
A doula will be with you through the entire birth and may even support you at home. At a hospital, the nurse will probably have other patients and will be in and out of the room. Doctors and midwives also will be in and out of the room depending on the situation and how long you’re in labor. - Better experience
Most couples report that no matter what the birth experience was, having a doula made the couple much more satisfied. - The doula statistics
A study done by Klaus, Kennell, and Klaus in 1993 showed that women who have doulas have- 50% reduction in the cesarean rate
- 25% shorter labor
- 60% reduction in epidural requests
- 40% reduction in oxytocin use
- 30% reduction in analgesia use
- 40%reduction in forceps delivery
That’s fine! Many women who want epidurals hire doulas to help them during the early part of labor or while they’re waiting for their epidural in the hospital. Other women will hire a doula to help get them further in their labors before getting an epidural. Other women who want epidurals will hire doulas to help them during the pushing phase, holding legs and providing information.
However, you will want to let your doula know about your birth wishes during the interview process. There are some doulas who feel the goal should be unmedicated births. If this is the case, you would be a poor fit with your doula.
Click here to find a doula in your area!
The information in this article is not medical advice. This information is not meant to treat, diagnose, prescribe or cure anything during your pregnancy, birth, or postpartum time. Always check with your care provider before following any advice from TheOnlyBabyStop.com.