With Love and Joy

Birth and Postpartum Doula
Labor and Postpartum Doula
You may be asking yourself whether it is a good investment to hire a doula. You might think, “My partner/sister/mother/BFF is going to be with me. Isn’t that the same thing?” While the loving support of your family and friends, and the skilled attentions of a labor nurse if you’re birthing in a hospital or birth center are incredibly important, none of those people are qualified to do what a labor doula can do for you. Studies have shown conclusively that the benefits of having a labor doula are not duplicated by either family/friends or nursing staff. (CAPPA has a great position paper outlining some of these results). Hiring a labor doula is an investment in a safe, empowered, satisfying birth experience you will look back on with joy.

Immediate Benefits of having a
Labor Doula
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C-sections reduced by 26% - 50%
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Length of Labor reduced by 25%
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Oxytocin use reduced by 40%
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Use of narcotics reduced by 30%
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Forceps reduced by 30%
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Epidurals reduced by 60%

Long-term
Benefits of having a
Labor Doula
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Improved Breastfeeding
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Increased time spent with baby
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Decreased Postpartum Depression
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Extra support for new family
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Breastfeeding support and education
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Newborn care instruction
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Nursery management
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Resource information
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Empathetic listener
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Relief from feeling alone
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Less calls to the pediatrician for basic information
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May reduce incidences of postpartum mood disorders
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More rest for new mothers
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Household assistance
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Buffer for other family members/friends
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And many more...
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Significantly more likely to have a spontaneous vaginal birth
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Less likely to have intrapartum analgesia (narcotics)
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More likely to have shorter labors
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Less likely to have a cesearean
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Less likely to need instrumental delivery
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Less likely to have an epidural
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Less likely to have babies with APGARs of 5 or lower
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27% less likely to be dissatisfied with their births
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Significantly less likely to feel a loss of control in labor

Benefits of having a Postpartum Doula
