The term "doula" is an ancient Greek word meaning woman servant. It
refers to a woman trained and experienced in childbirth. My role as your
doula is to provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational
support to you the expectant mother and your partner, during labor,
delivery and the immediate postpartum period.
The wisdom and emotional support provided by experienced women
during labor and birth is not a new idea. In nearly every culture
throughout history, women have been surrounded and cared for by
other women during childbirth. The modern doula is an ancient
tradition. Studies have shown dramatic enhancement of overall birth
satisfaction when a doula is present.
refers to a woman trained and experienced in childbirth. My role as your
doula is to provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational
support to you the expectant mother and your partner, during labor,
delivery and the immediate postpartum period.
The wisdom and emotional support provided by experienced women
during labor and birth is not a new idea. In nearly every culture
throughout history, women have been surrounded and cared for by
other women during childbirth. The modern doula is an ancient
tradition. Studies have shown dramatic enhancement of overall birth
satisfaction when a doula is present.
Benefits of having a Doula at your birth:
What is a Doula?
Katie Bachand ~ Birth Doula
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- 26% less likely to give birth by cesarean section. Check your
hospital Cesarean birth rate here - 25% shorter labor
- 60% reduction in epidural requests
- 28% less likely to use any analgesia or anesthesia
- 41% less likely to give birth with vacuum extraction or forceps
- 40% increase in breastfeeding
- 33% less likely to be dissatisfied with or negatively rate their birth
experience - Flexibility in your labor and birthing options
- Break the Fear-Tension-Pain cycle through constant education and
support - More positive birth experience for mother and partner
- Greater sense of fulfillment with the birth
- Greater satisfaction with her partner's role
- Better bonding with her baby postpartum
6 weeks after birth, mothers who had Doulas were:
- Less anxious and depressed
- Had more confidence with baby
- More satisfied with partner (71% vs. 30%)
- More likely to be breastfeeding (52% vs. 29%)
A doula provides support consisting of praise, reassurance, measures to
improve the comfort of the mother, physical contact such as rubbing
the mother’s back and holding her hands, explanation of what is going
on during labor and delivery and a constant friendly presence. The birth
doula recognizes childbirth as a transformative life experience. Her
primary objective is to nurture and protect a woman’s memory of her
birth experience.
Care in Normal Birth: a Practical Guide. Report of a Technical Working
Group. World Health Organization, 1996.
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