Pregnancy and Doulas

Doulas

Doula birth support gave me a greater sense of continuity and confidence in myself
to have a successful V-BAC.

- Elizabeth W.

Doulas - The Single Best Difference You Can Make In Your Birth’s Outcome

The presence of a Doula at a birth has been scientifically shown to positively influence a birth and to help a couple achieve greater satisfaction with their birth experience. A Doula is a person experienced with the childbirth process who is able to support a labouring woman throughout the birth process. She is someone the labouring woman knows and trusts and she is able to provide comfort and information throughout the labour and birth. An added benefit is that she is also able to support the birth partner and help him or her to provide support for the mother to be.

The Doula is a huge part of the pregnant woman’s support system. She is not able to provide medical services or to help make medical suggestions. She is, however, able to provide comfort and reassurance to the labouring couple at a time when they are most vulnerable.

Doula Benefits

There are many benefits to including a Doula at your birth. Many studies have proven that women who have a Doula attend their births experienced:

Reduced stress levels

Shorter labour times

Fewer interventions

Fewer complications

Greater satisfaction with the birth process

Less postpartum depression

Women with Doula support breastfed their babies longer than women without birth support, and babies of mothers with Doulas had higher APGAR scores.

It was very comforting to know that I had someone to assist and support me through labour and
birth who knew what they were doing and what to expect. - Elaine B.

My Doula answered all my questions that my doctor didn’t have time for. Her caring and support
were second to none. It was so great to have such a resource person at hand. - Sade N.