Doulas of CNY

INFORMATION

Childbirth is a key life experience the mother will remember all of her life. It's not simply an event to be "gotten through" or endured, but one to be held sacred and special. Regardless of the specific outcome, when a woman receives the support she needs during birth, she is given the opportunity to experience her birth as empowering and satisfying.

The professional Doula aims to provided that support. The word "Doula" is a Greek word, once used to refer to the most favored woman servant within a household; the one who primarily cared for the needs of the woman of the house. Today we use this word to refer
to a woman who is trained to support other women through pregnancy, birth, and the
postpartum period.

The Doula understands the need couples have to share alone time during their labor, and respects the importance of the father's participation in
the birth process. She does not interfere with his role; only serving to enhance his capacity to be helpful to his partner through providing him, with reassurance, information and encouragement. One prior client commented, "my partner was my right hand, and my Doula was my left." As the Doula attentively nurtures, or "mothers" the mother, a , a special bond is formed, creating a tender and warm birth environment. As the mother feels completely supported, she is more able to relax and cope with the challenges of labor.

Recent Studies on the Benefits of Having a Birth Doula

Decreased the length of labor by up to 25%
Decreased the overall cesarean rate by up to 50%
Decreased the mother's need for pain medication by up to 30%
Decreased various interventions by up to 40%
Helped fathers participate with greater confidence
Improved mother-infant bonding and breastfeeding
Decreased postpartum depression

FOR INFORMATION ON POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION, CLICK HERE

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