Recognizes birth as a key life experience that the mother will remember all her life...
	Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor...
	Assists the woman and her partner in preparing for and carrying out their plans for the birth...
	Stays by the side of the laboring woman throughout the entire labor...
	Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, an objective viewpoint and assistance to the woman in getting the information she needs to make good decisions...
	Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and clinical careproviders...
	Perceives her role as one who nutures and protects the woman's memory of her birth experience.

The acceptance of doulas in maternity care is growing rapidly with the recognition of their important contribution to the improved physical outcomes and emotional well-being of mothers and infants.

 

	explanations of medical procedures
	emotional support
	advice during pregnancy
	exercise and physical suggestions to make pregnancy more comfortable
	help with preparation of a birth plan
	massage and other non-pharmacological pain relief measures
	positioning suggestions during labor and birth
	helps support the partner so that they can love and encourage the laboring woman
	avoid unnecessary interventions
	help with breastfeeding preparation and beginnings,
	written record of the birth
	many other possibilities that vary from doula to doula

What Can A Doula Do For Me?

 

	50% reduction in cesarean rates
	25% shorter labor
	60% reduction in epidural requests
	40% reduction in oxytocin (pitocin) use
	30% reduction in analgesia use
	40% reduction in forceps delivery

Questions To Ask Your Doula

	Does she provide prenatal and/or postpartum visits?
	What can you expect during these visits, if offered?
	How many births has she attended?
	Can she provide references?
	What form of training has she had?
	What types of births has she witnessed (Cesarean, epidural, intervention free, VBAC, teen birth, etc.)?
	Her fee?
	Has she ever worked with your care provider or at your place of birth?
	Does she has back-up arrangements available?
	What will her role be in early labor?
	Will she provide labor support at your home prior to going to the place of birth?
	Is she familiar with many methods of childbirth?
	How does she define her role during labor and birth?
	Does her fee include postpartum doula care and does she offer these services?

	About KonzaBaby Doula Services
	Myths About Fathers and Doulas
	Sample KonzaBaby Doula Contract
	Borrow our video "Special Women:  How a Labor Assistant Makes Birth Safer, More Satisfying and Less Expensive"
	In depth Information About Postpartum Doulas