Doula
/doo-luh/
"If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it"
Dr John Kennel
A doula offers mental, emotional and physical support to birthing people throughout their pregnancy, birth and postnatal journey.
A doula educates and advocates for birthing people, signposting resources to help them make informed choices that are right for them. Doulas use extensive birth and pregnancy knowledge to equip you to have a dignified, supported and empowered birth journey.
A doula believes in ”nurturing the parent” by guiding and supporting them to feel safe, heard and confident.
In 2017, Bohren et al. published an updated Cochrane review on the use of continuous support for women during childbirth
It shows that having continuous support from a doula results in a:
39%
Decrease in the risk of a caesarean birth
15%
Increase in the likelihood of spontaneous vaginal birth
10%
Decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief
38%
Decrease in the baby’s risk of a low five minute Apgar score
41 min
Shorter labours by 41 minutes on average
31%
Decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience
