Benefits of Using a Doula

Fact Sheet on the Benefits of Using a Doula 

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.

Postpartum Doula: A woman trained to care for new families in the first weeks after birth
providing household help, advice with newborn care and infant feeding, and emotional support.

Eleven studies showed the following effects of doula support:

Effects on Birth Outcomes:

• Labors are shorter
• There are fewer complications
• Cesarean rates are reduced
• There is less need for oxytocin to speed up labor
• Need for forceps is reduced
• Women request less pain medication and epidurals

Effects on the Mother:

• Greater satisfaction with their birth experience
• More positive assessments of their babies
• Less postpartum depression
  

Effects on the Baby:

• Babies have shorter hospital stays with fewer admissions to special care nurseries
• Babies breastfeed more easily
• Mothers are more affectionate to their babies postpartum
  

Effects on the health care system:

• The cost of obstetrical care is dramatically reduced
• Women are pleased with the personalized care doulas offer
  

The Benefit of continuous support in labor is recognized by:

• The World Health Organization
• The Medical Leadership Council (an organization of over 1200 U.S. hospitals)!
• The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada

How doulas practice:

• Privately, hired directly by clients
• As hospital employees
• As volunteers in community or hospital program