Use of Doulas

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Definition: Doulas are trained lay people who provide continuous support during a woman's labor.

They have been shown in some studies (Scott, 1999, Klaus, 1997) to:

• Improve obstetric outcomes:

  • • Shorter labor

    • Decreased need for anesthesia

    • Decreased operative deliveries

    • Decreased C-sections

• Increased breast feeding rates

• Decreased anxiety and depression postpartum

Your patients may want to discuss the use of a doula with you during their prenatal care. If so, you may find the references above helpful.

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