As a Doula, I am a support person who has specific training and experience in providing informational, emotional, and physical support during the childbearing experience, including during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum.
Doulas provide support to mothers and their support person, we do not perform clinical tasks, and we are not midwives, nor do we work for the hospital -- we work for YOU!
Women who take advantage of Doula services during birth reported the following:
50% reduction in the cesarean rate
25% shorter labor
60% reduction in epidural requests
40% reduction in pitocin use
30% reduction in analgesia use
40% reduction in forceps delivery
https://madriella.org/what-is-a-doula/If you are wanting a physiological birth
If you want an epidural
If you are having a scheduled cesarean section
If you are planning for a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean)
If you are planning for a home birth