Erin Luben, MPH, CD(DONA), LCCE, BDT(DONA)

A growing body of research shows that the use of a doula has clear benefits for families during childbirth and postpartum, with no known risks.

Mothers who use a doula during labor have been found to be less likely than women who did not use a doula to:

• Have a cesarean birth
• Choose an epidural
• Use pitocin
• Have a forceps delivery
• Have their infant kept in the hospital for more than 2 days
• Have a fever
• Have difficulty breastfeeding
• Experience post-partum anxiety and depression

Mothers who use a doula during labor have been found to be more likely than women who did not use a doula to:

• Breastfeed exclusively and for longer
  
• Respond sensitively to their infants
• View their relationship with their partner to be better after the birth
• Have a positive image of their babies
• Feel closer and well-bonded to their babies
• Have confidence in their ability to mother
  

Only with trust, faith, and support can the woman allow the birth experience to enlighten and empower her.

Claudia Lowe

Stephen Gaskin