Benefits

Women who use birth doulas are more satisfied with their birth experience, require fewer interventions during labor and delivery, and have higher rates of breastfeeding than women without doula support.*

Women who are continuously supported by a birth doula through labor are:

• 41% less likely to give birth with vacuum extraction or forceps

• 26% less likely to give birth by cesarean section

• 28% less likely to use any pain medications (epidural/spinal anesthetic and narcotic analgesia)

• 33% less likely to be dissatisfied with or negatively rate their birth experience

​

Additionally, women with doula support experience the following after the birth of their child:

• lower rates of infections and fever in the mother

• lower reported rates of postpartum depression and anxiety

• higher rates of breastfeeding

• a higher sensitivity to and awareness of her newborn

 

**Hodnett ED, Gates S, Hofmeyr G J, Sakala C. Continuous support for women during childbirth. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2003, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD003766. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.