I’m sure every mother has asked this question when first approached about using a doula for their birth. This may be your first baby or your fourth- regardless, when you’re pregnant, having the right support team in place is essential. Most people who have done their research regarding doulas know that they are professionally trained birth workers skilled in childbirth, labor, and postpartum care. The most common definition people use is someone who “provides emotional, educational, and physical support to expecting mothers.” However, this only skims the surface of what doulas truly do. Below are five statistics and reasons you should consider hiring a doula.
Educational support. Doulas are extremely knowledgeable of medical terminology, hospital cesarean rates within your area, breast feeding tips, etc… Doulas help educate parents so they can have the best birth.
Mothers wanting a vaginal birth should know that cesarean rates decrease 28% with a doula. Although a cesarean can be life saving, it is major abdominal surgery and there are substantial risks to both the mother and baby during and after childbirth.
Women wanting a un-medicated birth should also know that the use of Pitocin decreases 31% with a doula. Pitocin is the synthetic version of oxytocin. Oxytocin is a hormone naturally produced by the body to cause the uterus to contract. When a woman naturally goes into labor, there are breaks in between contractions. Pitocin increases the intensity and strength of the contractions which consequently exhausts the laboring mother and generally ends in her getting an epidural to help cope with the pain.
The likelihood of spontaneous vaginal birth is increased by 12% when a doula is apart of your birthing team. This means baby comes on his/her own without the use of forceps or a vacuum. Doulas can help mothers get into a better birthing positions to help avoid these invasive procedures that often times have serious risks to both mother and baby.
Hiring a doula can help decrease the length of labor by 25%. If you have watched movies of laboring mothers, generally it shows them on their back in a bed. Doulas will have you try several positions such as squatting, walking, rocking, etc… to help bring the baby down into the birth canal.
These are just a few of the medical benefits of hiring a doula. Whether you are an expectant mother, you can never go wrong with hiring a doula.
Xo,
Ashley
References:
internationaldoulainstitute.com