There are different types of doulas. (birth, antepartum, postpartum, bereavement doulas)
You can hire a doula at any time, although most clients book very early in their pregnancies to assure availability.
Birth doulas assist in a wide variety of birth situations: women who want no or little intervention during labor, women who want epidurals or other pain medications, women delivering via VBAC, women having scheduled cesarean sections.
Birth doulas use many different ways to help a woman in labor (breathing techniques, relaxation techniques, massage, and laboring positions).
A birth doula acts as an advocate for the mother, encouraging and helping her obtain specific goals she might have for her birth.
A birth doula wants to create a safe and positive environment for the laboring women.
A birth doula values a positive relationship with the laboring woman, her spouse/partner, her family and the medical/care providers she has at her birth.
Women who received continuous support by a birth doula were found to have shorter labors by about 40 minutes and their babies were less likely to have low Apgar scores at birth.
31% decrease in the use of Pitocin with a birth doula.
28% decrease in the risk of C-section with a birth doula.
12% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth with a birth doula.
9% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief with a birth doula.
14% decrease in the risk of newborns being admitted to a special care nursery with a birth doula.
34% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience with a birth doula.
Birth doulas DO NOT replace the spouse/partner at a birth. Doulas are there to support not only the laboring woman but also the other people chosen to be there.