Benefits of Having a Doula

More and more pregnant women today are turning to Doulas to aide them in preparing for the birth of their baby, assist them during labor and delivery and also help them during the postpartum period. Here is why this trend is growing...

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

“Mothering the Mother: How a Doula Can Help You Have a Shorter Easier and Healthier Birth”, Klaus, Kennell, and Klaus (1993). 

Maternal Perceptions at Six Weeks Postpartum

Of Baby (Labored with Doula):Of Baby (No Doula):
  • 55% Cries less then others
  • 91% Special
  • 65% Easy to manage
  • 78% Clever
  • 89% Beautiful
  • 100% Regard baby as separate, sociable person by 6 wks
  • 17% Cries less then others
  • 71% Special
  • 65% Easy to manage
  • 47% Clever
  • 67% Beautiful
  • 80% Regard baby as separate, sociable person by 6 wks
Of Self (Labored with Doula):Of Self (No Doula):
  • 97% Feels close to baby
  • 97% Pleased to have baby
  • 91% Managing well
  • 91% Communicates well
  • 45% Becoming a mother was easy
  • 72% Can look after baby better than anyone else
  • 80% Feels close to baby
  • 65% Pleased to have baby
  • 65% Managing well
  • 68% Communicates well
  • 11% Becoming a mother was easy
  • 31% Can look after baby better than anyone else

"If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it."  ~ Dr. John H. Kennell

“The Doula Book”, Klaus, Kennell, and Klaus (2002).