Why Use a Doula?

Labour Doula Studies And Statistics

Studies have shown that women supported by a doula during labor have:

  • 50% reduction in the cesarean rate
  • 25% shorter labor
  • 60% reduction in epidural requests
  • 40% reduction in oxytocin use
  • 30% reduction in analgesia use
  • 40% reduction in forceps delivery

What Does a Doula Do?

The following is a general description of what you might expect from a CAPPA certified labour doula. Douala's meet with the parents in the second or third trimester of the pregnancy to get acquainted and to learn about prior birth experiences and the history of this pregnancy. She may help you develop a birth plan, talk about relaxation, visualization, and breathing skills useful for labour. Most importantly, the doula will provide comfort, support, and information about birth options.

A doula helps the woman to determine prelabour from real labour and early labour from active labour. The doula enhances the experience so that parents receive the information they need to make informed decisions. She is a professional who understands the natural process of birth, and works with the labouring family during labour & birth. She assists the family in having the most positive, healthy and natural experience possible for them. A doula provides non-medical information, physical, and emotional support.

At any point determined by the woman in labor, the doula will come to her and assist her by:
  • Helping her to relax
  • Provide support for the woman's partner and other family members.
  • Encourage proper nutrition and fluids.
  • Help to make the environment feel more secure and confident
  • provide a mother with information on birth options.
  • works cooperatively with the health care team.
  • In the event of a complication, a doula can be a great help in understanding what is happening and what options the family may have.
  • help with the initial breastfeeding.
  • eases the transition from home to hospital or assists in the comfort of your home.
  • Offering words of encouragement, non-judgmental support and educates the couple, before, during and after birth
  • Someone who stays with the labouring woman throughout her labour and birth.

    • There are a variety of titles used by women offering these services such as "birth assistant," "labour support" and "doula".


    What about the father?

    A doula does not replace or interfere with the father; An intuitive doula can actually bring a couple closer together during this exciting time. This is an amazing and challenging time for both mother and father. Fathers worry, often finding it difficult when they are unable to take away the physical pain their wife is going through. A doula can assist him to care for, and support his partner often making suggestions for comfort techniques, position changes, giving encouragement reassurance, and needed breaks during a long labour.
    She helps the father to be more involved as the nurses cannot be with the birthing woman at every moment. In essence, freeing up the father to provide uninterrupted emotional support to his partner, and not having to play the role of advocate, liaison, etc...as well as provide support.

    Do I need a Doula if I am having an Epidural?

    Many women are under the impression that just because they are planning on having an epidural, that they do not need a doula. It is not unusual for women who receive epidurals to still experience physical discomfort or even pain. It is also not uncommon for an epidural to be not placed correctly, and for it to not work. Then the woman would be labouring with induction drugs, an no pain relief. Having a doula will help keep you calm, and will help you to focus.

    Often your Doctor will want you to be dilated to 4-5 cm before administrating pain medication. (The risks that go along with having an epidural become higher the longer it’s in place.) This can take several hours of active labor. Once an epidural is requested it may also take time for an anesthesiologist to become available. The longer you can go with out an epidural, the better it will be for mom and baby.

    Once the epidural is in place, you will be restricted to bed, but will still need to change positions frequently to help move the baby down the birth canal. You will also experience the emotional impact of the labor as your body moves through the process. You may get discouraged, fearful, tired or weepy. An epidural may also slow your progress, and your doula can stay with you while other family members or support persons take a break or catch a nap.


    For More information, and to find Doula Services available in the Windsor and Essex County area please see the following links:

    Mother's Helper Doula Services
    Work Shops, Doula Services and Child Birth Educators
    Pregnancy Massage and Chiropractor Care