Pregnancy & birth is a pivitol time in the life of a woman and can shape the mothers we become. Approached positively it can be wonderful. In today's society, which can view birth quite negatively this is often not the case. Statistics suggest that hiring a doula can help mothers and couples to be prepare better for labour & birth & achieve a more positive birth experience.
There is evidence to show that having a doula can mean:
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Reduced risk of Caesarean birth † *.
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Reduced risk of instrumental birth † *.
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Reduced need for painkillers or epidural during birth † *.
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Reduced rate of induction of labour † *.
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Shorter labour †.
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Increased parental satisfaction with the birth experience. †
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Increased likelihood of initiating breastfeeding *.
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Increased likelihood of successfully establishing breastfeeding & breastfeeding at 6 weeks *.
* Brigstocke S. MIDIRS Midwifery Digest, vol 24, no 2, 2014, pp 157-160
† Hodnett ED, Gates S, Hofmeyr G, Sakala C. Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 7. Art. No.: CD003766. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003766.pub5
A Doula can also help postnatally, assisting new parents during the sometimes overwhelming newborn days. We've been there; we know what a challenge it can be. A postnatal doula can help care for you & your baby. We can do light housework to take the load off & stop it overwhelming you. We can hold baby while you sleep or shower. We can look after older children, pets & just generally ease your load. We can signpost to breasfeeding counsellors & offer infant feeding advice. It is said that it takes a village to raise a child; a postnatal doula can provide that village that is often lacking in today's world.