A birth doula is a trained professional who provides emotional, mental, physical, and informational support to parents and family throughout pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum. Recent research indicates that having a doula present during labor and delivery provides numerous physical and mental benefits to mothers and babies. According to the research, birthing people who had a doula present at their births were:
- More likely to have spontaneous vaginal births
- Less likely to have intrapartum analgesia or regional analgesia
- Less likely to report dissatisfaction
- More likely to have shorter labors
- Less likely to have a cesarean
- Less likely to have an instrumental vaginal birth (e.g., vacuum, forceps)
- Less likely to have a baby with a low five minute Apgar score
The support of a thoughtful, skilled doula during the perinatal period is truly invaluable. In addition to the benefits listed here, you can also read the words directly from Calm doula clients themselves.