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Inner Serenity Childbirth Services
Benefits of using a Doula? Tia Rich Serving the Portland, Oregon - Vancouver, Washington |
Here are a few pieces of information regarding the benefits
a Doula can do for you and your family The use of a doula for education and birth support can significantly reduce the length of your labor.
All
mothers in the Houston study were healthy first time mothers giving
birth at full term. There were 412 woman in the study randomly
assigned to one of two groups, and active supporting Doula group and an
observing Doula group. There was an additional control group with
no Doula support.Less use of medical interventions during labor and delivery is seen when Doula support is present. Mothers tend to feel more closely connected postpartum to both baby and father when a Doula has been used for support More immediate comfort and success with breastfeeding has been noticed when a mother uses Doula support and education. Every
woman should have the tools to empower herself,
and her partner through education, birth and postpartum support. A Doula is a tool that allows each woman and family this empowerment. I believe in your ability to give birth, and only desire to help you to realize your innate ability.  Documented Statistics
Eleven scientific studies published in professional journals such as the Journal of the American Medical Association, the New England Journal of Medicine and the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology have documented the positive effects of using doula support.
*50% reduction in the cesarean rate *25% shorter labor *60% reduction in epidural requests *40% reduction in oxytocin use *30% reduction in analgesia use *40% reduction in forceps delivery 6 weeks after birth, mothers who had doulas were: * Less anxious and depressed * More confident with their baby * More satisfied with their partner (71% vs 30%) * More likely to be breastfeeding (52% vs. 29%)
*These statistics appear in “A Doula Makes the
Difference”
by Nugent in Mothering Magazine, March-April 1998. **Study cited in
“The Doula” by Klaus in Childbirth Instructor Magazine,
Spring 1995.
Houston Texas Study on Doula Support: The Outcome: Control Group Observing Doula Active Doula Length of labor (hrs) 9.4 8.4 7.4 Epidural 55% 23% 8% Pitocin to augment labor 43% 32% 17% Cesarean Birth 18% 13% 8% Forceps Delivery 26% 21% 8% In the no-doula group only 12% deliver naturally (without anesthesia, medication or forceps). This is in contrast to the 55% in the doula assisted mothers who had natural deliveries. South Africa Study on Doula Support Strengthening Family Relationships:
In
Johannesburg, South Africa, 189 first time mothers were investigated to
see how the presence of a doula influences a couples relationship
during and after a birth.
The woman who were randomly assigned to the doula and no-doula groups reported no significant differences in satisfaction with their partner before or during pregnancy. Immediately after giving birth however only 30% of women in the no-doula group reported their relationship with their partner was better, while 71% of those in the doula supported group felt their relationships had improved. By six weeks postpartum 85% of the woman in the doula supported group reported increased satisfaction with their partners compared to only 49% of the no-doula group. Mothering the mother and father in labor and early postpartum apparently increases a desirable "halo effect". With the support of a skilled doula, couples experience emotional success in birth and feel mothered while learning to nurse and care for their new baby. This kind of beginning gives mothers and fathers a foundation of confidence and good will to build on. |
