Benefits of a Certified Doula
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50% reduction in the cesarean rate
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25% decrease in length of labor
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60% reduction in epidural requests
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40% reduction in oxytocin use
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30% reduction in analgesia use
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40% reduction in forceps delivery
Doula is a Greek word which means
“One Who Mothers the Mother”
A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a woman
before, during and shortly after childbirth to help her
achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.
As Your Doula I will:
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Establish a warm and friendly relationship with you and your partner prior to your birth.
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Become familiar with your birth wishes to help you achieve the birth of your dreams.
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Be available for phone calls and to answer any questions you may have.
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Be a source of emotional, physical, and information support to both you and your partner at the onset and progression of labor.
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Be present not to take the place of the partner, but to reduce pressure, fear, worry, anxiety, and to enable the partner to interact more closely and lovingly to the birthing mother.
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Be with you from the beginning of your labor (phone or skype support in early labor) until one to two hours after the birth of your baby.
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Be there to help initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and to review basic concepts that we learned in our breastfeeding class.
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Take beautiful pictures of you throughout your labor and birth and present them to you and your family at your postpartum visit.
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Visit with you one to two weeks postpartum to discuss your birth experience, access how you are feeling and to answer questions you may have about the baby or adjusting to your new life as a family.
“If a Doula were a drug, it would be
unethical not to use it.”
— John H Kennell, MD