What is a Doula?
The word “Doula” comes from the ancient Greek meaning “a woman who serves” and is now used to refer to a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.
Numerous clinical studies have found that a Doula’s presence at birth:
~ Tends to result in shorter labours with fewer complications
~ Reduces negative feelings about the mother’s childbirth experience
~ Reduces the need for pitocin (a labour-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction and cesareans
~ Reduces the mother’s request for pain medication and/or epidurals
Research shows parents who receive support from a birth Doula:
~ Feel more secure and cared for
~ Are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics
~ Have greater success with breastfeeding
~ Have greater self-confidence
~ Lower incidents of postpartum depression
If you want to know more about how I can improve your birth experience, click here.
Erin St. Jean Birth Services 