Frequently Asked Questions About Doulas

(1) What effects does the presence of a doula have on a birth outcomes?
Numerous clinical studies have found that a doula's presence at a birth can result in:
  • Shorter labours
  • Fewer complications (including reduction of forceps, vacuum extraction and cesareans)
  • Decreased need of pain management drugs including epidurals
  • Decreased need of labour inducing drugs including pitocin

(2) What effects does the presence of doula have on the mother?
When a doula is present during and after childbirth, women report greater satisfaction with their birth experience, make more positive assessments of their babies, have fewer cesareans and requests for medical intervention, and less postpartum depression.

(3) What effects does the presence of a doula have on the baby?
Studies have shown that babies born with a doula present tends to have shorter hospital stays with fewer admissions to special care nurseries, breastfeed more easily and have more affectionate mothers in the postpartum period.

(4) What effects does the presence of a doula have on the partner?
A doula is supportive to both the mother and her partner, and plays a crucial role in helping a partner become involved in the birth to the extent he feels comfortable. Partners report feeling more involved in doula assisted births.

For more information, please go to Doulas of North America website at www.dona.org