Rosalyn was an amazing support to me and my family before, during, and after the birth of my daughter. Her techniques for pain management were amazing and made my birth experience much more comfortable than I could have ever expected.
Value Of A Doula
I will hold your hand as you breathe through the intensity of your labor. I will listen to your worries and calm your fears. I will provide you with evidence-based information so that you can be confident in the decisions you make for yourself and your baby. I will work together with your partner, to support, encourage, and empower you as you welcome your baby. I will help you prepare for the postpartum period and provide practical tips for adjusting to life after birth. I will be by your side as you become a mother, whether for the first or fifth time. I am here to support you!
Birth doulas are professionally trained labor companions who provide emotional, physical, and informational support to the mother during the pregnancy, birth, and immediate postpartum period. The quality of emotional care provided to a mother during labor, birth, and immediately following, is a key factor that can either strengthen or weaken the emotional ties between mother and child.[i] Studies have shown that when women are provided with the support of a doula, their labors are shorter, with fewer complications, babies are healthier, and they breastfeed more easily.[ii] An analysis of fifteen labor support studies from North America, Europe, and Africa, showed that in comparison to women receiving usual care, women supported by a birth doula were 26 percent less likely to give birth by cesarean section, 41 percent less likely to give birth with the use of a vacuum extractor or forceps, 28 percent less likely to use any pain medication, and 33 percent less likely to express dissatisfaction or negatively rate their birth experience.[iii]
[i] Penny Simkin and Kelli Way, DONA International Position Paper: The Birth Doula, 2008, p. 1
[ii] DONA International, What is A Doula, p. 2
[iii] E. Hodnett, S. Gates, G. Hofmeyr, and C. Sakala, “Continuous Support for Women During Childbirth,” The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, no. 3 (2003).
Birth doulas are professionally trained labor companions who provide emotional, physical, and informational support to the mother during the pregnancy, birth, and immediate postpartum period. The quality of emotional care provided to a mother during labor, birth, and immediately following, is a key factor that can either strengthen or weaken the emotional ties between mother and child.[i] Studies have shown that when women are provided with the support of a doula, their labors are shorter, with fewer complications, babies are healthier, and they breastfeed more easily.[ii] An analysis of fifteen labor support studies from North America, Europe, and Africa, showed that in comparison to women receiving usual care, women supported by a birth doula were 26 percent less likely to give birth by cesarean section, 41 percent less likely to give birth with the use of a vacuum extractor or forceps, 28 percent less likely to use any pain medication, and 33 percent less likely to express dissatisfaction or negatively rate their birth experience.[iii]
[i] Penny Simkin and Kelli Way, DONA International Position Paper: The Birth Doula, 2008, p. 1
[ii] DONA International, What is A Doula, p. 2
[iii] E. Hodnett, S. Gates, G. Hofmeyr, and C. Sakala, “Continuous Support for Women During Childbirth,” The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, no. 3 (2003).
LEARN MORE
Research Studies
Birth Doula Position Paper
Evidence on: Doulas
The Essential Ingredient: Doula is a documentary produced by DONA International.
Birth Doula Position Paper
Evidence on: Doulas
The Essential Ingredient: Doula is a documentary produced by DONA International.
