Upper Cumberland Doula Services
| douâ‹…la | [doo-luh] | -noun |
Doula is a greek word meaning "favored woman servant". It refers to a non-clinical labor support professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother and her partner before, during and just after childbirth. The Doula's role is to help you have the most satisfying birth possible, as you define it. Doulas support women in non-medicated, medicated and cesarean births.
Benefits of Having a Doula
Over 20 years of research and multi-clinical trial studies* show that doulas can have a significant impact on the birth process.
- 50% reduction in the cesarean rate
- 25% shorter labor
- 60% reduction in epidural requests
- 40% reduction in oxytocin (pitocin) use
- 30% reduction in pain medicine use
- 30% reduction in forcep use
- Improved breastfeeding
- More positive maternal assessments of maternal confidence and in newborn health
- Decreased postpartum depression
*From Mothering the Mother by Kennel, Kennel and Klaus
