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Statistically, we know that when the birthing person is relaxed, their labor is easier and shorter. Hiring a doula can be expensive but studies show that having a doula present can help prevent labor and delivery complications, which can be costly. The partner experiences birth more intimately because their coaching job is shared. Babies often spend more time with their birthing parent, which helps breast/chest/formula feeding get a good start. Hiring a doula gives the expecting parents the peace of mind that they have an educated support person who is consistently staying up to speed on new evidence-based information about childbirth and related topics.
Today’s maternity care is provided by unfamiliar caregivers and relies on technology that can be complex and confusing, so parents are once again turning for help to those with training and experience to provide a safe, memorable, and empowering childbirth. Studies have repeatedly shown that when a doula is present, labor is shorter, fewer interventions, decreased use of medication, a decrease in cesarean births, parents' bonding with baby is enhanced, and increased satisfaction with their partner and overall satisfaction with the birth.
This is a link to a hiring guide for interviewing a doula from DONA.org.
A 2019 Cochrane Review of Continuous Support for Women in Childbirth (The Evidence for Doulas) of almost 16,000 women showed:
• 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
Labor support complements NAPSAC’s (National Association of Parents and Professionals for Safe Alternatives to Childbirth) five standards of care which will lower America’s maternal and infant morbidity and mortality rates. These are:
1. Good nutrition
2. Natural birth
3. Midwifery
4. Homebirth
5. Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding