Maggi Rohde, Doula
Dundee, Michigan
maggi@seemore.mi.org
Safe Passage's Services
My Philosophy About Birth
About Safe Passage
What Is A Doula? | More
- Why Choose A Doula? -
Finding The Doula For You
For Spouses and Partners
If You've Had A Cesarean
Local Birth Resources
Online Birth Resources
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There are dozens of reasons to have a doula at your birth, but here are
some of the most important:
Doulas stay with you for your entire
labor. Nurses and other hospital staff are very busy with paperwork
and other patients, and they work eight or twelve hour shifts. Consistant,
continuous support by a doula during lab or shortens labor and reduces the
need for medical intervention, including c-section. 1 But one study shows that nurses spend less
than 10% of their time supporting their patients during labor. 2 You need a doula to give you the personalized
support you deserve.
Doulas are clinically proven to make
labor better. Several randomized controlled trials have shown that
doulas often help make first-time labors shorter, safer and much more
satisfying. Here are some impressive statistics from a Houston, TX
study. 3
Doulas can help to:
reduce cesarean
sections by 50%
shorten labor by 25%
reduce requests for pain medications by 40%
reduce requests for epidurals
by 60%
reduce Pitocin use by over
50%
reduce the need for forceps by 40%
You can choose your doula. You never know
if you're going to end up with the best nurse in the world, or Atilla the
Hun in sensible shoes during your labor. When you choose your doula, you
can find someone who you feel comfortable with, and who supports your own
birth philosophy.
Doulas speak their language. Doulas study
the same books and journals that doctors and nurses do. They can explain
tests, medications and other interventions to you, and help bridge some of
the barriers of communication between you and the hospital staff.
Doulas stay calm for you and your family.
Doulas have been to many births, and they can empathize while still
keeping an objective view. Both you and your spouse will appreciate the
quiet, caring attention you'll receive from your doula.
Even if your husband is there, doula support
is unique and unparalleled. Studies have shown that doulas provide
better support during labor than anyone else, including spouses, friends,
doctors and nurses. 4 Spouses are almost
always too emotionally involved to help during labor, 5 and they appreciate a doula's care just as
much as their laboring partner does. See For
Spouses and Partners for more on what spouses think of doulas.
Her unique combination of experience, compassion and faith in the
miraculous process of birth makes the doula an invaluable companion during
labor and delivery. Doulas fill in the gaps in our hospital maternity
care system, and help you to have the kind of birth you've dreamed about.
Next Link: Finding the Doula
for You
Citations:
(1) Klaus MH; Kennell JH. 1997. The doula: an essential ingredient of childbirth rediscovered. Acta Paediatr 1997 Oct;86(10):1034-6
(2) McNiven, P, Hodnett, E, O'Brien-Pallas, LL. 1992. Supporting women in labor: a work sampling study of the activities of intrapartum nurses. Birth 1992 Mar;19(1):3-8; discussion 8-9
(3) Kennell, J, Klaus, M, McGrath, S, Robertson, S, Hinkley, C. 1991. Continuous emotional support during labor in a US hospital. A randomized controlled trial. Journal of American Medical Association 265(17):2197-2201. Comment in: JAMA 1991 May 1;265(1
7):2236-7 Comment in: JAMA 1991 Sep18;266(11):1509-10
(4) Chalmers B; Wolman W, 1993. Social support in labor--a selective review. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol 1993 Mar;14(1):1-15
(5) Berry, LM 1988. Realistic expectations of the labor coach. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing. Sept/Oct:354-55.
Click here for more citations to journal articles about doulas.
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