THE DOULA DIFFERENCE
Having a doula present during pregnancy, labour and birth provides a unique kind of support that can make a real difference in your birth experience. Doulas offer continuous emotional, physical and informational support, helping you feel safe, informed, and empowered throughout your journey.
A doula’s role is not to replace medical care or your chosen support people, but to complement them with consistent presence, advocacy, reassurance and comfort throughout the pregnancy, birthing and postpartum period.
Research consistently shows that having a doula improves outcomes for both mama and their babies, including;
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Studies report around 28% reduction in the likelihood of a caesarean birth when a doula is present during labour.
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Up to around 12% increase.
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Including fewer requests for epidurals.
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With some studies noting an average reduction of around 30–40 minutes.
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With 34% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience.
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Indicating better early newborn health.
These benefits have been found across a wide range of settings and populations, reinforcing that continuous support is powerful regardless of birthplace. Doula’s really do make a difference!
If you'd like to dive deeper into the evidence, you can explore some of the research below, on the benefits of continuous support and doula support during birth.
Continuous support for women during childbirth - Bohren, MA - 2017 | Cochrane Library
Companion of choice during labour and childbirth for improved quality of care
www.pregnancyparenting.org.au/birth/doula-research?utm_source
