3 myths about Doulas &3Benefits in Having a Doula at Your Birth
Myth 1: Doulas are expensive
Did you know that research has shown having a doula present at a birth has decreases the need for additional medical procedures that can cost thousand or more. Obtaining doula support can save you money on the total cost of your birth.
Myth 2: Doulas replace the birth partner
The partners need doula support too. A doula will complement the partner or other support through encouraging the partner to help support their partner by giving them tips or advice that is not common knowledge.
Myth 3: Doulas only support home or unmedicated births
Doulas go where you go. Most babies in the United States are born in hospitals, and the doula statistics show they are valuable in a hospital setting.
Whether you want to labor at home as long as possible or head to the hospital to get an epidural as soon as things get intense, your doula will be with you.
Doulas will also support you through Cesarean birth, whether planned or not. Doulas can also educate you about options for a more family-centered Cesarean birth that can help make both parents more comfortable and even provide benefits for the baby.
Benefit 1: Doulas help you cut costs
A Cochrane review on continuous labor support with a doula shows the following results happen during labor and birth for those who have a doula with them:
39% decrease in the chance of having a C-section
15% increase in the chance of having a spontaneous vaginal delivery (non-induced)
10% decrease in the need for any medication for pain relief
41-minute average reduction in the length of labor
38% decrease in low 5-minute APGAR score
31% increase in satisfaction with the overall birth experience
In the U.S., an epidural alone costs an average of $2,132! Yikes! The doula statistics listed above show that having a doula can save a ton of money on the overall cost of birth, avoiding unnecessary interventions and helping you cope with the discomforts of labor.
Benefit 2: Doulas go through extensive training.
Professional doulas go through in-depth training through credible organizations. To become a doula, a person needs to take training that consists of 8-12 hours of childbirth education, 10-15 hours of labor and birth support training, and complete a requirement for hands-on support. They typically have to attend several births before their training and certification are complete.
In addition to basic doula training, most doulas keep learning and seek out additional training and certifications such as:
And many more!
A professional doula is continually working to increase her knowledge and experience to best support your family and birth goals.
Benefit 3: Doula support in all locations and focus on Birth Giver
Doulas provide better birth outcomes, regardless of birth location. Doula statistics show they are especially helpful in a hospital setting.
One study showed that parents expected their labor and delivery nurse to spend 53% of their time with them. In reality, nurses spent only 6%-10% of their time on labor support activities.
Your doula spends 100% of her time with you and 100% of it supporting you through labor.
If, or when you are ready for an epidural, doulas support you 100%. We even know great ways to labor with an epidural to help prevent common labor hangups and help your baby descend while you rest.
One of the most common reasons for a Cesarean is failure to progress. Doulas know how to keep labor moving right at home or in a hospital, even with an epidural.
Still not convinced? A study on the impact of a doula on a healthy birth experience shares the following about doula support in a hospital:
“the modern hospital birthing process tends to be highly interventionist, taking away decision making from mothers. This results in many unwanted and, in many cases, unwarranted procedures. Medical providers sometimes prefer women to be compliant and recommend procedures to ward off pain and discomfort. However, these actions may actually interfere with birth outcomes, with mothers counseled to focus on their comfort and not necessarily on the possible implications of those interventions on the birth of their baby, the baby’s immediate health, or on later complications from these procedures. A doula serves as a mother’s advocate, providing a woman a sympathetic but informed ear for the choices that the birthing staff may ask her to make during the birthing process… The doula empowers decisions that are made in the best interest of both the mother and her child.”
Impact of Doulas on Healthy Birth Outcomes
Resource: Doula Statistics: The Myths vs Facts of Doula Birth Support By: Julie Francom
