What is a doula?
The word "doula" comes from the ancient greek, meaning "a woman who serves". A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous, compassionate physical, emotional, and knowledgeable support to a mother before, during and after labor. When a doula is present, women have reported to have a higher satisfaction with their birth experience, they make more positive assessments for their baby, have fewer cesareans and requests for medical intervention, and less postpartum depression. Studies have shown that women who have doulas attend their birth have shorter hospital stays with fewer admissions to the NICU, and breastfeed easily. A doula does not replace your partner, but rather guides and supports them in helping you through your birth experience. A doula does not make any clinical tasks and does not make decisions for you, but rather provides knowledge so you can make the best decision for you and your family. A doula does not speak to the staff on your behalf, I am responsible to you not for you.
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