Why use a Doula?
Reprinted with permission of DONA International

DONA International Doulas mother the mother

Women have complex needs during childbirth and the weeks that follow.
In addition to medical care and the love and companionship provided by
their partners, women need consistent, continuous reassurance, comfort,
encouragement and respect. They need individualized care based on
their circumstances and preferences.

DONA International Doulas are educated and experienced in childbirth
and the postpartum period. We are prepared to provide physical (non-
medical), emotional and informational support to women and their
partners during labor and birth, as well as to families in the weeks
following childbirth. We offer a loving touch, positioning and comfort
measures that make childbearing women and families feel nurtured and
cared for.

Numerous clinical studies have found that a Doula’s presence at birth
tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications

  • reduces negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience
  • reduces the need for Pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or
    vacuum extraction and cesareans
  • reduces the mother’s request for pain medication and/or epidural

Research shows parents who receive Doula support can:

  • Feel more secure and cared for
  • Are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics
  • Have greater success with breastfeeding
  • Have greater self-confidence
  • Have less postpartum depression
  • Have lower incidence of abuse


Top 10 Reasons to Hire a Doula:


1. A Doula is someone to ask prenatal questions. She is there to listen to
pregnancy complaints, emotional concerns, and to share the excitement.

2. A Doula assists couples in creating their birth plan. She then assists
the mother in achieving the birth experience that she desires.

3. A Doula provides continuous care and nurturing to the mother. She
does not leave during shift changes, as does the hospital staff. A Doula
provides one on one care that medical staff cannot give due to caring for
other patients.

4. A Doula provides suggestions for position changes that may help aid
the progress of labor and/or make the mother more comfortable.

5. A Doula helps the mother to relax using touch, massage and words of
comfort.

6. A Doula provides peace of mind in knowing that she will be there for a
mother in case things are harder than expected.

7. A Doula has knowledge of many various comfort measures such as hot
or cold packs, counter pressure for the back, and use of a birth ball.

8. A Doula can give empathy and reassurance to the mother that the
process of birth she is going through is normal.

9. A Doula can take priceless photos/video of the entire family’s first
moments together.

10. The Doula nurtures and protects the memory of the birth for the
mother. She provides couples with their birth story after the birth and
helps fill in the blanks or answer questions.
Why Hire A
Doula