A doula's presence with the mother during childbirth has many positive effects for the mother and her newborn child. These effects have been recognized in scientific studies conducted around the world and summarized in the book Mothering the Mother: How a Doula Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier, Healthier Birth by Klaus, Kennell, and Klaus. A doula's presence effectively REDUCED:
* the length of labor by 25%
* the use of pain medication by 30%
* pitocin use by 40%
* forceps deliveries by 40%
* the overall cesarean rate by 50%
* requests for epidural pain medication by 60%
* incidences of maternal fever
* the number of days newborns spent in NICU (neo-natal infant care unit)
* the amount of septic workups performed on newborns
and RESULTED in:
* higher rates of breastfeeding
* more positive maternal assessments of maternal confidence
* more positive maternal assessments of maternal and newborn health
* decreased rates of postpartum depression
It's good to know that what many women and doulas have experienced in labor, delivery and post-partum care has been verified in documented studies and is now becoming common knowledge!
References:
The Benefits of Hiring a Doula for Your Birth
