Wise Women Birth Services

It is now widely recognized that having a female labor support doula assisting the birthing woman or couple can decrease the length of labor, decrease the severity of perceived pain, decrease the need for anesthesia or analgesia, and can help prevent cesarean section.*

A good birth experience will enhance the postpartum period by speeding recovery, easing breastfeeding and securing the satisfaction of the mother and father with each other and themselves.

Women who are continuously supported by a birth doula throughout their labor are:

• 26% less likely to give birth by cesarean section
• 41% less likely to give birth with vacuum extraction or forceps
• 28% less likely to use analgesia or anesthesia (because perceived pain is not as severe)

In addition, long term benefits of labor support include:

• Improved Breastfeeding
• Decreased Postpartum Depression
• Greater Maternal Satisfaction
• Better Mother-Infant Attachment

*Hodnett ED, Gates S, Hofmeyr G J, Sakala C. Continuous support for women during childbirth [PDF]. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2003, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD003766. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003766.