Giving birth….a time filled with anticipation, joy, and a fair share of anxiety….Enter the MFD doula: your doula can make a world of difference during and after childbirth.

What is a Doula?

The term ‘doula’ comes from ancient Greek, meaning ‘a woman who serves,’ and that is precisely what they do—serve the needs of the birthing person during one of the most significant moments of their life! A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to birthing people before, during, and immediately after childbirth.

Statistical Significance

These statistics speak volumes about the impact of doulas. A Cochrane review showed that labor support from doulas is associated with a:

• 39% decrease in the chance of having a C-section²
• 15% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal delivery²
• 10% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief²
• 41-minute reduction in the length of labor on average²
• 38% decrease in the baby’s risk of a low five-minute APGAR score²
• 31% increase in the birthing person’s satisfaction with the birth experience²

Beyond the Numbers

But the role of doulas extends beyond these impressive statistics. Doulas help the laboring family advocate for themselves and provide reassurance and encouragement. Doulas help create a more positive and empowering birth experience, which can lead to stronger bonds between the parent and child and a smoother transition into the postpartum period.

Postpartum Doulas: The Unsung Heroes

The support doesn’t end with birth. Postpartum doulas step in to offer guidance, support, and education during the often overwhelming weeks following childbirth. They assist with newborn care, offer breastfeeding support, and help with household tasks, allowing the new parent to recover and bond with their baby. Research shows that postpartum doula support is associated with reduced likelihood of postpartum depression ¹.

A Call for Accessibility

Despite their proven benefits, doulas are still underutilized. Only 6% of birthing people in the U.S. reported using a doula, although 27% who were aware of doulas would have liked one¹. This gap highlights the need for increased accessibility and awareness of doula services, especially among marginalized communities who stand to benefit greatly from their support. 3/22-28 is World Doula Week and Michigan Family Doulas is here for it!!

Find your #doulanearme right here! Look no further!

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