What is a doula?
Doula is an ancient Greek word for "a woman experienced in childbirth who serves another woman during her childbirth time."

She is dedicated to serving and supporting the mother in whatever way is needed, from helping to focus on breathing and relaxation, to comforting massage during labor, to teaching/reviewing the birth process in discussions.  She adds to the mother and partners’ education and boosts confidence by her warm and caring presence.

The doula does not replace the partner, doctor, nurse, or midwife, but works together with them to ensure that the mother has the optimum birth experience!

A doula is a woman who helps women and their families through labor and birth.  Here are some of the statistical changes in a birth that a doula makes.  Benefits of having a trained doula:

During labor:
50% reduction in the cesarean rate
25% shorter labor
60% reduction in epidural requests 
40% reduction in pitocin use
30% reduction in analgesia use
40% reduction in forceps delivery

After birth:
Improved breastfeeding
Increased time spent with baby
Increased maternal satisfaction with birth experience
Decreased postpartum depression