benefits

Numerous studies have revealed the benefits to having a doula
present during labor. A recent Cochrane Review, Continuous
Support for Women During Childbirth, revealed a very high
number of positive birth outcomes when a doula was used.

When a doula was present, women were
less likely to have pain relief medications administered,
less likely to have a cesarean birth,
reported having a more positive childbirth experience 1.

Other studies have shown that having a doula as part
of the birth team
decreases the overall cesarean rate by 50%
decreases the length of labor by 25%,
decreases the use of oxytocin by 40%
decreases the request for an epidural by 60% 2.

Doula’s often use the power of touch and massage to reduce
stress and anxiety during labor. According to physicians
Marshal Klaus and John Kennell, massage helps stimulate the
production of natural oxytocin. The pituitary gland secretes
natural oxytocin to the bloodstream which causes uterine
contractions and also secretes it to the brain, which results in
a feeling of well being, drowsiness and a raised pain threshold.
Synthetic IV oxytocin can not cross into the blood stream and
brain, so it increases contractions without the positive
psychological effects of natural oxytocin.

1Hodnett ED. Gates S Hofmeyr GJ. Sakala C. Continuous Support for women during
childbirth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.(3) CD003766, 2003.
2Klaus, M., Kennell, J., Klaus, P. Mothering the Mother.: Addison-Wesley Publishing
Company, 1993.