Like travel guides taking you through a safari hike in the jungle, doulas support families throughout their own unique journey into the unknown territory of parenthood. Doulas are trained professionals who provide physical, emotional and informational support throughout the fertility, pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience. They assist you by providing resources that can help improve your pregnancy and birth experience.
A doula’s duty is to provide a continuous source of comfort, encouragement and support during labor and immediately postpartum. Since the beginning of time, women have surrounded each other during their journey into motherhood. They provided each other with warmth, love and nourishment. Everyone stepped up to support the new family and allow the mother to rest and bond with her baby. A doula is a sister, a friend, a guide, a watch-woman, a hand to hold and an ear to listen. She shows up for you time and time again. She supports you unconditionally and her love never wavers.
Doula’s help to advance maternal health and women's empowerment through three means:
1. Improving health outcomes
2. Promoting women's control over their health
3. Reducing cost-related health disparities
Numerous studies have documented the benefits of having a doula present during labor and delivery. A recent Cochrane Review, Continuous Support for Women During Childbirth, showed a very high number of positive birth outcomes when a doula was present.
Evidence shows that if you choose to hire a Doula, you have:
+ 39% decrease in the risk of Cesarean.
+ 15% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth (without forceps or vacuum extraction).
+ 10% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief.
+ Shorter labors by 41 minutes on average.
+ 38% decrease in the baby’s risk of a low five minute Apgar score.
+ 31% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience.
In my work as a doula and childbirth educator, I approach birth holistically, allowing families to lead with their intuition. I believe that in most cases, birth is a natural physiological event and not a medical emergency. My goal is to help bridge the gap in education, care and support that families receive during their journey from fertility - fourth trimester. There is no reason every woman should not have an empowering and memorable motherhood experience! It is our God-given right and He created us mindfully with motherhood in mind. Choosing your birth place, provider and support team mindfully is crucial.