The word "Doula" comes from the ancient Greek term meaning "woman's servant". 



Today, a Doula has come to be known as a professional labor coach that provides emotional, physical and informational support to a mother and her partner before, during and immediately following birth.



Doulas can help the mother and family access the tools they need to feel informed, nurtured, and whole. We are not meant to take the place of your partner, but instead to support you both by offering guidance and suggestions that allow your partner and/or family to be helpful. 

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Doulas do not perform medical tasks or give medical advice, nor will we speak for you. Rather, we offer non-medical support such as providing suggestions for comfort measures and position changes in labor, giving continuous emotional encouragement, and working as a source of information for the parents.



The invaluable support of a doula has been shown to result in:

 

• 50% shorter labors

• 55% reduction in cesarean rates

• 85% reduction in epidural requests

• 65% reduction in narcotics requests and use of forceps

• 65% reduction in Pitocin use to augment or induce labor

• 50% increase in breastfeeding success over the first 6 weeks

• Improved relationship between the mother and partner over non-Doula assisted births



  *From Mothering the Mother by Kennel, Kennel and Klaus