Is doula support for me? ?

• Maybe this is your first baby and you want an experienced, non-biased helper that's familiar with current hospital practices
• Maybe you've had a baby before but want things to go differently this time
• Maybe you've had a baby before and you want someone to help replicate special aspects of that experience.
•  Maybe you want a water birth and need someone to keep the water warm, turn on the music, light the candles and turn off the lights
• Maybe you need reassurance so you have the freedom to be completely focused on what your body is doing
• Maybe your partner is ready to be a parent but not yet equipped to support you through labour and delivery
• Maybe your choices don't align with your mom/family/friends', and you need encouragement and an advocate
• Maybe your birth plan is "We just want the baby to come out"
• Maybe your birth plan is "We want to labour at home as long as possible because I want to avoid induction, epidural, IV, etc."
• Maybe you don't have a plan.

No matter the case, if you want to be informed, supported and encouraged to birth YOUR way, then hiring a birth doula is an investment in your well-being.​

Have more questions about how it cans suit your unique situation? Send me an email :) I can reassure you that my care is nurturing, evidence based, personal, nuanced, and fun. 

If you like numbers and science, keep reading...

In a cumulative study of 26 trials involving 15,858 women, across 17 countries, it was found that women allocated continuous support from doulas,  had a 39% decrease in the risk of Cesarean section, and 15% increase in the likelihood of spontaneous vaginal birth. (Bohren et al., 2017)

Delivery and labor nurses are wonderful, but their shifts end, and one familiar nurse is replaced with an unfamiliar one (discontinuous care). Some Canadian studies have found that nurses spend about 50-75% of their time outside the birthing person's room. (Gannon & Waghorn, 1996; McNiven et al., 1992; Gale et al. 2001). Doulas, however, remain with you, and have a 100% time commitment.

Doctors may offer exquisite medical support, but are not necessarily available when you go into (spontaneous) labour. Midwives offer continuous and thorough care, and help ensure your you and your baby are healthy, but they simply don't have the time to remain at your side and do hip squeezes for 8 hours.

Doulas (and midwives), however, develop a relationship with you weeks before you go into labour, and understand what makes your experience unique and special. Their care is continuous throughout labour, and you and your comfort are their ONLY priority.

For a more robust analysis, check out Evidence Based Birth's evidence for Doulas, here.