Reasons to have a doula at your labor and birth

A doula...

• Recognizes that your birth experience is an important event that you will remember all of your life.
  

• Understands the many choices you have and can help you write a birth plan or a list of your preferences in giving birth and welcoming your baby into the world.
  

• Provides emotional support for you before, during and after your labor and birth.
  

• Provides or suggests physical comfort measures that your partner can give during labor and birth, such as back rubs, breathing exercises, and position changes.
  

• Knows what to do during long or difficult labors. She can give many suggestions that help you cope and help your labor progress.
  

• Communicates with your birth partner. She helps him or her understand the labor process and can give suggestions on how to give support during the labor and birth.
  

• Helps you communicate with your caregivers.
  

• Gives you one-on-one attention. Her role is to "be there for you" and help you have the best possible birthing experience.

• Shorten first time labor by an average of 25%

• Reduce the need for a cesarean section by 50%

• Reduce the use of drugs to stimulate labor by 40%

• Reduce request of epidural anesthesia by 60%
  
  —Marshall Claus, MD, John Kennel, MD, and Phyllis Claus, M Ed, CSW, authors of Mothering the Mother