The Doula Effect
A doula is a non medical person who supports people during their pregnancy, labour and the early weeks of parenthood. A doula will endeavour to create a calm, supportive environment conducive to a positive experience for you and your birthing partner (if you have one).
To find out more about what a doula is, read this post.
Research has shown that people cared for during labor by a birth doula, compared to those receiving usual care were:
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26% less likely to give birth by cesarean section
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41% less likely to give birth with a vacuum extractor or forceps
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28% less likely to use any analgesia or anesthesia
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33% less likely to be dissatisfied or negatively rate their birth experience
Other benefits can include:
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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
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Lower incidence of depressive symptomatology
To find out more about the research, please visit