Birth Assistants of Boulder Inc.

303-752-6933

Partners & doulas

The kind of support a doula offers is different than that of a loved one or medical caregiver.

Studies comparing outcomes when a nurse supports the mother, a partner supports the mother, or a doula supports the mother show the best results with doula support.

Nurses, midwives, and doctors may make wonderful doulas, but their primary concern is always the health of mom and baby. They may be needing to see other patients, chart things, check heart rates or other things, and are not able to give sole attention to the family giving birth and their comfort. Many clients are disappointed to learn they only see their doctor briefly on admission to the hospital or right at the time of birth. Or the doctor from the practice that they hoped to have is not the one on call. The couple may bond really well with the first nurse and then have to start all over again with a shift change.

Partners and other family members usually have gone through a childbirth class with the mother, fully intending to be her primary source of support. This can work great, though often it is a very emotional and exhausting time, and it is difficult to remember all those things to try and why you wanted to try to avoid certain interventions when you are in the middle of labor. The jargon and authority of hospital staff may also be intimidating and difficult to clarify.

A doula has no agenda other than the mother's. She will stay by the family's side through the entire birth...no other patients or shift changes to worry about. She can stay grounded and aware, and help explain what is happening and what is being suggested. Doulas have special training to understand the wide range of "normal" for birth, how to keep things progressing, keep mom and her partner going, and help communicate effectively and respectfully with medical caregivers.

There are 15 randomized trials which support the positive effects of having a doula at your side during your labor.

These include:
lower cesarean rate
fewer medical interventions
shorter labors
more success with breastfeeding
greater satisfaction with their birth experience