What does a doula do?
A doula offers continuous one-on-one support. This means that even when your nurse, doctor or midwife has other patients to attend to, your doula stays by your side.
Aside from the fact that having a doula significantly increases women's satisfaction with their birth experience, having a doula at your birth decreases your chance of having a Cesarean section and sometimes even results in a shorter labor. Having a doula also reduces the use of epidural anesthesia and interventions such as episiotomy, forceps delivery and more. Having said that, a doula can be helpful even if a scheduled Cesarean should become necessary.
Doula Statistics
Having a doula at your birth results in:
Sources: Mothering the Mother, by Kennell, Klaus, and Kennell, Special Woman: The Role of the Professional Labor Assistant by Paulina Perez & Cheryl Snedeker, and The Doula Advantage by Rachel Gurevich.
What about my family?
A doula can offer support to the laboring mother's spouse or partner. A doula is not a replacement to your spouse/partner, mother, friends or family- she is a complement, a part of your whole birthing team. She can be as hands-on and involved or simply offer suggestions for the spouse/partner when needed. You may find these articles helpful in understanding the doula's role in supporting both laboring woman and her spouse/partner.