Q: What are the benefits of using a doula?
A: Documented studies show that having a doula at your birth has many benefits.Some of them are...

• Decrease length of labor!


• Decrease Cesareans!


• Decrease requests for pain medications & epidurals!


• Decrease the use of pitocin!


• Decrease use of forceps!




• Increase birth experience memory and satisfaction!


• Increase longer breastfeeding!


• Increase parent/baby bonding!


• Increase partner participation with more confidence!

Q: Does the doula take the place of the father?
A: Doulas are not meant to replace the father and the unique support he provides. Doulas can facilitate the bonding of women and their partners during the special event of labor and birth by supporting the father as well as the mother. The presence of a doula often allows the partner to relax and participate at a level he is most comfortable with. Penny Simpkin (a founding mother of Doulas of North America) says "While the doula probably knows more than the partner about birth, hospitals and maternity care, the partner knows more about the woman's personality , likes, dislikes and needs. Moreover, he loves the woman more than anyone else there. The combined combination of partner and doula, along with a competent, considerate and caring staff gives the woman the best chance of an optimal outcome."