why should you hire a doula?
While doulas are non-medical birthworkers (meaning we are not midwives or doctors and cannot deliver babies or make medical decisions on your behalf), we can act as coaches and advocates during your pregnancy and labor experience. Most people aren’t used to being in hospitals, and it can be scary and overwhelming! There are some truly amazing nurses in this world, but it’s likely you’ll have multiple nurses/shift changes while you’re at the hospital, and may only see your OB as you get ready to begin pushing. A doula is with you the entire journey of labor - a doula will never leave your side and will be a comforting presence during all of the uncertainty. This can be invaluable for not only the laboring person but the partner as well!
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said in 2014 that "published data indicate that one of the most effective tools to improve labor and delivery outcomes is the continuous presence of support personnel, such as a doula."
If fewer requests for pain meds, less likely use of forceps/vacuum, reduced likelihood of caesarean birth, better APGAR scores for baby, more positive long-term memories of birth, and a greater satisfaction with the overall birth experience sound like something you’re interested in, then working with a doula is right for you!
“Asking your husband to be your sole guide through labor is like asking him to lead the way on a climb of Mt. Everest. He may be smart and trustworthy, and you may love him, but in the Himalayas you’d both be a lot better off with a Sherpa!”
