Andrea Branagan ~ Birth Doula ~ (407) 486-5911
Your Body. Your Decisions. Your Birth. Your Family!
Why Hire a Doula?
For a Better Birth Experience!
Educating yourself about childbirth so you're able to make informed decisions is a great way to increase your chances for a smooth labor. But you can't possibly learn everything you might need to know. That's where a doula comes in. A doula is a trained labor support person who provides emotional, physical, and informational support during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. She (they're usually women) absolutely doesn't replace medical caregivers or your birth partner, but rather complements them.
There are many ways a doula can assist you, such as:
Women supported by a doula in labor have been shown to have:
· 50% reduction in Cesarean rate
· 25% shorter labor
· 60% reduction in epidural needs or requests
· 40% reduction in labor induction and/or Pitocin use
· 30% reduction in analgesic use
· 30% reduction in forceps or vacuum delivery
· Partner is more able to focus on mother's needs (closer connection)
· Mother has a greater satisfaction with the birth experience
· Superior bonding experience with Baby
Six weeks after birth, mothers who had doulas experienced:
For a Better Birth Experience!
Educating yourself about childbirth so you're able to make informed decisions is a great way to increase your chances for a smooth labor. But you can't possibly learn everything you might need to know. That's where a doula comes in. A doula is a trained labor support person who provides emotional, physical, and informational support during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. She (they're usually women) absolutely doesn't replace medical caregivers or your birth partner, but rather complements them.
There are many ways a doula can assist you, such as:
- helping you prepare your birth plan
- providing suggestions and exercises to help you have a more comfortable pregnancy
- explaining medical procedures
- providing emotional support
- suggesting and providing non-pharmacological pain relief techniques (massage, heat therapy, positioning)
- assisting with breastfeeding
- providing partner support
- working as an advocate so your birth plan is carried out
Women supported by a doula in labor have been shown to have:
· 50% reduction in Cesarean rate
· 25% shorter labor
· 60% reduction in epidural needs or requests
· 40% reduction in labor induction and/or Pitocin use
· 30% reduction in analgesic use
· 30% reduction in forceps or vacuum delivery
· Partner is more able to focus on mother's needs (closer connection)
· Mother has a greater satisfaction with the birth experience
· Superior bonding experience with Baby
Six weeks after birth, mothers who had doulas experienced:
- Less anxiety and depression
- More confidence with the baby
- More satisfaction with their partner
- Improved breastfeeding
- Increased time spent with baby
- More positive maternal assessments of baby's personality and health, and maternal competence
- Decreased postpartum depression