Emotional, Informational and Physical Support:
The Benefits of Hiring a Doula
What is a Birth Doula?
• A woman trained and experienced in childbirth who provides continuous
physical, emotional, and informational support to a woman during labor, birth, and the immediate postpartum period.
• She performs no clinical tasks.
• She supports you in the birth you want!
Benefits of Birth Doulas:
• Fewer complications/interventions:
- Cesarean rates reduced.
- Less use of episiotomies.
- Less need for medications to speed labor.
- Less need for forceps/vacuum extractor.
- Fewer requests for pain medications.
• Increased confidence in self and in partner/ coach.
• Higher success rate in breastfeeding.
• Increased satisfaction with birth experience.
• Mother views baby more positively.
• Continuity in care: prenatal, labor, birth and immediate postpartum.
• Lowers anxiety /stress levels.
• Less likely to have postpartum depression.
Benefits to Partner:
• Allows partner to be involved to their own comfort level.
• Support and help for the partner.
• Partner can take breaks.
• Increased confidence in self and laboring mother.
• Partner views birth experience and baby more positively.
Tools a Birth Doula May Use:
• Massage/ Counterpressure/ Acupressure.
• Positioning.
• Breathing techniques.
• Relaxation techniques- focal points, imagery, sensory therapy, and more.
• Music.
• Hot/ Cold therapies.
• Birth balls.
• Shower/ Bath.
• Knowledge of options.
• And more!!!
What is a Postpartum Doula?
• A woman trained to care for new families in the first weeks after birth providing guidance with newborn care and infant feeding, household help, and emotional support.
• Professional support person trained in:
- Breastfeeding education and support.
- Typical newborn behavior and development.
- Newborn care.
- Postpartum nutrition.
- Recognizing postpartum mood disorders.
- Linking parents to community resources.
Benefits of a Postpartum Doula:
• Greater satisfaction with postpartum period.
• Quicker birth recovery.
• More likely to eat healthier and sleep more.
• More confidence in parenting and childcare.
• Less stress and anxiety.
• More positive opinion of baby.
• More affectionate to baby.
• A lower incidence in postpartum mood disorders.
• Higher breastfeeding success rate.
Role of a Postpartum Doula:
• Supports the family through early transitional days and weeks.
• Assists with early breastfeeding.
• Provides information on normal newborn behavior and development.
• Provides guidance and help with newborn tasks such as diapering, bathing, cord care, dressing, feeding, burping, etc.
• Prepares meals, runs errands, performs light housekeeping.
• Care of siblings.
• Helps parents process birth.
• Works with extended family members.