Pregnant women choosing hospital birth can greatly benefit from retaining the services of a doula. A doula is a professional care provider who understands and trusts the process of birth. She provides continuous physical and emotional care for the laboring mother and her partner. Studies have proven a dramatic decrease in epidural and cesarean section rates, usage of pitocin and forceps and usage of other pain medications, as well as many other benefits for mother and baby when doulas accompany mothers throughout their labors and births.

A labor assistant/doula helps pregnant women and their families formulate what is important to them during labor and birth, and work cooperatively within the birth team to help realize these goals.

Recent studies involving over 1000 women demonstrate that the presence of a Labor Assistant results in:

• Shorter labors
• Reduced need for pain medication
• Fewer episiotomies
• Fewer cesaerean sections
• Improved neonatal outcomes
• Better mother-infant interaction
• Greater maternal satisfaction

Ready to hire Dina as your doula?

For more information on the benefits of a doula, check out the following links...

International Childbirth Educators Association (ICEA)
Birthworks
Association of Labor Assistants & Childbirth Educators (ALACE)