Meet The Doula!
The evidence is in, doula support is on the rise.
And rightfully so.
A 2012 survey from the U.S., found that 6% of birthing people said they used a doula during childbirth (Declerq et al., 2013), which is up from 3% in a 2006 national survey (Declerq et al., 2007) and of those people who did not have a doula but understood what they were,
27% would have liked to have a doula.
But the evidence continues, in a recent study it was found that people who received continuous support were more likely to have spontaneous vaginal births and less likely to have any pain medication, epidurals, negative feelings about childbirth, vacuum or forceps-assisted births, and Cesareans. In addition, their labors were shorter by about 40 minutes and their babies were less likely to have low Apgar scores at birth. There is a smaller amount of evidence that doula support in labor can lower postpartum depression in mothers. There is no evidence for negative consequences to continuous labor support.
But wait does it really matter WHO is providing the continuous labour support?
The best results occurred when a birthing person had continuous labour support from a doula– someone who was NOT a staff member at the hospital and who was NOT part of their social network. The researchers found that overall, people who have continuous support during childbirth experience a:
How to choose the right doula for you!
+ most doulas offer a free no obligation consult to meet and assess if it is the right "fit"
+ ask about their certifying process (doulas may be unregulated but not untrained!)
+ experience
+ core values, priorities, goals for support
+ availability
Join me on April 18th from 7-8 for my next Meet The Doula Night
if you are curious about doulas, what we do, don't and if having a doula as part of your birth team is right for you, drop in and say hello!
resources
And rightfully so.
A 2012 survey from the U.S., found that 6% of birthing people said they used a doula during childbirth (Declerq et al., 2013), which is up from 3% in a 2006 national survey (Declerq et al., 2007) and of those people who did not have a doula but understood what they were,
27% would have liked to have a doula.
But the evidence continues, in a recent study it was found that people who received continuous support were more likely to have spontaneous vaginal births and less likely to have any pain medication, epidurals, negative feelings about childbirth, vacuum or forceps-assisted births, and Cesareans. In addition, their labors were shorter by about 40 minutes and their babies were less likely to have low Apgar scores at birth. There is a smaller amount of evidence that doula support in labor can lower postpartum depression in mothers. There is no evidence for negative consequences to continuous labor support.
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| via Caitlin Angel Photography |
But wait does it really matter WHO is providing the continuous labour support?
The best results occurred when a birthing person had continuous labour support from a doula– someone who was NOT a staff member at the hospital and who was NOT part of their social network. The researchers found that overall, people who have continuous support during childbirth experience a:
- 25% decrease in the risk of Cesarean; the largest effect was seen with a doula (39% decrease)*
- 8% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth; the largest effect was seen with a doula (15% increase)*
- 10% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief; the type of person providing continuous support did not make a difference
- Shorter labors by 41 minutes on average; there is no data on if the type of person providing continuous support makes a difference
- 38% decrease in the baby’s risk of a low five minute Apgar score; there is no data on if the type of person providing continuous support makes a difference
- 31% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience; mothers’ risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience was reduced with continuous support provided by a doula or someone in their social network (family or friend), but not hospital staff
How to choose the right doula for you!
+ most doulas offer a free no obligation consult to meet and assess if it is the right "fit"
+ ask about their certifying process (doulas may be unregulated but not untrained!)
+ experience
+ core values, priorities, goals for support
+ availability
Join me on April 18th from 7-8 for my next Meet The Doula Night
if you are curious about doulas, what we do, don't and if having a doula as part of your birth team is right for you, drop in and say hello!
resources
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