Emotional Support
During childbirth, there will be many emotions for both the mother and the father. A doula can calmly help the mother cope with labor and be reassuring and a constant presence for both mom and dad. I recognize this experience is very special and offer a quiet reassurance and enhancement of your natural abilities to labor.
Physical Support
During labor, a doula assists by providing breathing techniques, laboring positions and various movements to allow baby descend, and helps stay within the birthing wishes. In the event the OB or midwife suggests an intervention, the doula will help the parents ask the right questions to help make an informed decision - the doula will not make any decisions.
Partner Support
During labor, some fathers face a dilemma of what to do and where to stand, how much to touch and what kind of touch to offer, and how much loving affection to show in front of strangers. This stress is increased by the father's feelings of direct responsibility for the woman's distress and added a responsibility in some cases of making significant decisions but the medical care during labor. The support of a doula is not to diminish the father's role, but to enhance it.
Informational Support
During pregnancy, birth, and postpartum parents have lots of questions! A doula helps answer those questions. I have an extensive list of resources to help you navigate pregnancy, labor & delivery and postpartum.
Shorter and Easier Labor
Continuous labor support from a doula, reduce the odds of receiving an analgesia by 31% decrease the use of oxytocin to stimulate labor by 50% lower, forceps delivery by 34%, and reduce cesarean sections by 45% .
In one study, a group of mothers with no doula who received routine care had a longer average labor lengths of 15.5 hours compared to 7.7 hours with a doula.
Postpartum Benefits
The Johannesburg Study showed that 63% of mothers without a doula reported feeding problems while only 16% of mothers with a doula reported feeding problems.
There were also impressive differences in the average scores on psychological tests of the mothers in the two groups. The doula group mothers showed significantly less anxiety, fewer signs of depression and a higher level of self-esteem.
