What is a doula?

Doula is a Greek word that means woman caregiver. In short, a birth doula is a trusted labor companion who provides continuous care to expectant parents from the prenatal to post partum period.

A birth doula ...

  • Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor.
  • She offers non-biased information so that mom and partner can be aware of the options available to them and make informed decisions about childbirth and parenting.
  • She provides continuous emotional support, encouragement, reassurance to laboring women.
  • Helps create and maintain a peaceful and supportive birthing environment for mom and partner.
  • Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and clinical care providers.
  • Enhances the partner's participation by modeling supportive behavior and relaxation techniques.
  • Supports mom in finding her natural birthing rhythm and staying comfortable throughout her childbirth experience by positioning, massage, breathing, relaxation and imagery.
  • Assists with latching and initiating breastfeeding, and serves as a resource and support system for up to two weeks postpartum.

Benefits to Having a Doula

Recent studies demonstrate that the presence of a Doula may result in...
  • 50% decrease in caesarian deliveries
  • 25% decrease in length of labor
  • 40% decrease in use of oxytocin/pitocin
  • 60% decrease in use of Epidural
  • 30% decrease in use of pain medications (narcotics)
  • 30% decrease in use of forceps
In addition, long term benefits to doula use include
  • Decreased anxiety and incidence of postpartum depression
  • More successful breastfeeding
  • Higher satisfaction with her birth experience
  • Higher self-esteem
  • Higher regard for their babies and their ability to care for them.

Peaceful Birthing Doula Service includes:

  • Free initial interview
  • Emotional, physical, and informational support through all stages of pregnancy, labor, delivery and the immediate postpartum
  • 24 hour phone/email support from time of hire
  • 1-2* prenatal meetings (approx. 2 hrs. each)
  • A personalized informational packet
  • Assistance with creating and implementing your birth preferences
  • On call for your birth for 2 weeks before and two weeks after your "due date"
  • Labor support in your home, hospital or birthing center
  • Continuous personal support for both mother and partner from active labor through immediate postpartum
  • Comfort measures in labor which include but are not limited to: massage, counter pressure, effleurage, Hypnobirthing and Hypnobabies visualizations/scripts, positioning, birth ball, and breathing techniques
  • Help in creating your ideal birthing atmosphere
  • Photography/video of labor and birth
  • Help with establishing breastfeeding
  • 1* postpartum meeting several days after the birth to discuss and reflect on the experience
  • A written birth story

*More meetings can be arranged if needed.

References for this page

1. Barron SP, Lane HW, Hannan TE, Struempler B, Williams J.C. Factors influencing duration of breast feeding among low-income women. J Am Diet Assoc 1998 Dec 88:12 1557-61.
2. Campero L, Garcia C, Diaz C, Ortiz O, Reynoso S, Langer A. "Alone, I wouldn't have known what to do": a qualitative study on social support during labor and delivery in Mexico. Soc Sci Med1998 Aug 47:3 395-703.
3. Gordon NP, Walton D, McAdam E, Derman J, Gallitero G, Garrett L. Effects of providing hospital-based doulas in health maintenance organization hospitals. Obstet Gynecol 1999 Mar 92:3 422-6.
4. Klaus KH, Kennell JH. The doula: an essential ingredient of childbirth rediscovered. Acta Paediatr 1997 Oct 86:10 1034-6.
5. Keenan P. Benefits of massage therapy and use of a doula during labor and childbirth. Altern Ther Health Med 2000 Jan 6:66-74.
6. Langer A, Campero L, Garcia C, Reynoso S. Effects of psychosocial support during labor and childbirth on breast feeding, medical interventions, and mothers' well being in a Mexican public hospital: a randomized clinical trial. Br J Obstet Gynecol 1998 Oct 105:10 1056-63.
7. Madi, Banyana Cecilia; Sandall, Jane; Bennett, Ruth; MacLeod, Christina, "Effects of Female Relative Support in Labor: A Randomized Controlled Trial." Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey. 54(10):627-628, October 1999.
8. Manning-Orenstein G. A birth intervention: the therapeutic effects of Doula support versus Lamaze preparation on first-time mothers' working models of care giving. Altern Ther Health Med 1998-Jul 4:4 73-81.
9. M.H. Klaus, J.H. Kennell, "The doula: an essential ingredient of childbirth rediscovered." Acta Paediatr. 1997 Oct;86(10):1034-6.
10. Nolan, M. Supporting women in labor: the doula's role. Mod Midwife 1995 Mar 5:3 12-5.
11. P. Keenan, "Benefits of massage therapy and use of a doula during labor and childbirth." Altern Ther Health Med. 2000 Jan;6(1):66-74
12. Raphael D. Support and variation, the needs of the breastfeeding woman. Acta Paediatr Jpn 1989 Aug 31:4 369-72.
13. Scott KD, Klaus PH, Klaus MH. The obstetrical and postpartum benefits of continuous support during childbirth. J Women's Health Gend Based Med 1999 Dec 8:1257-64.