Benefits of Having A Doula

Why do you deserve a doula? What are the benefits? Over the last 20 years more than 13 scientific studies have shown that when one woman cares for a laboring women, that laboring woman is more likely to have a safer, shorter, less expensive and more satisfying birth experience.

Benefits:

• Affordability. Generally an average cost for doula services in South Florida ranges between $400.00 to $1,500.00 depending on where you live, what services are offered and the doula’s experience. It is not unusual for a more experienced doula (i.e. someone with nursing experience and years of experience as a doula) to charge on the higher end and a less experienced doula to charge on the lower end. Some doulas that have little or no experience or that are working on their certification may charge a reduced fee.
  
• Convenient. We can come to your home during early labor before you go to the hospital.
  
• Flexibility- In our prices and in your labor and birthing options.
  
• Break the Fear-Tension-Pain Cycle through constant education and support.
  Constant presence of the doula throughout your pregnancy and from the beginning of your labor until 1-2 hours after birth.
  
• 50% reduction in cesarean rate
  
• Reduced desire for pain medication. (Please click on link for more information about doulas and pain medications)
  
• 40% reduced use of pitocin use
  
• Fewer episiotomies
  
• Reduced duration of labor (average 2 hours less for first-time mothers)
  
• Reduced use of forceps
  
• Reduced use of vacuum extraction
  
• Reduced chances for health complications and hospitalizations for baby
  
• Reduced chances of maternal fever and infection
  
• Reduced maternal bleeding following birth
  
• Increased chances of successful breastfeeding
  
• Reduced incidence of postpartum depression
  
• Reduced levels of anxiety/Better mother-infant interaction
  
• More positive birth experience for mother and partner
  
• Increased chance of spontaneous vaginal birth
  

So What Can Mother’s Care’s Doulas Do For You? We can help you achieve the positive outcomes listed above through...

• Understanding that birth is NOT just another day in a woman’s life. Instead it is an extraordinary day that is life producing and changing. We understand the emotional needs of a laboring woman and the physical changes that are a necessary part of labor and birth.
  
• Working together with the woman, her partner and the care-providers as an advocate and team. We do not replace anyone in the birthing process. Instead, we complement the team and the process.
  
• Providing continuous support during pregnancy, labor, birth and the postpartum period. Unlike medical and nursing staff, we do not change shifts at any time.
  
• Educating. We educate, educate, educate. We discuss the risks and benefits of healthcare decisions in an objective, non-biased manner with the mother and her partner so that they can make informed decisions.
  
• Utilizing our years of experience to benefit our clients. Our registered nurse has worked as an R.N. and doula in many of the tri-county area hospitals so that there is a “double-professional bond” existing between our staff and area hospitals.
  
• Suggesting a multitude of comfort measures. We suggest tried and true comfort measures some of which have stood the test of time and some of which are innovative and offer an alternative approach to medicinal comfort measures such as the use of birth balls in labor and birth. A few of the comfort measures that we use are: aromatherapy ((fragrant oils and lotions) to enhance relaxation and well-being; breathing techniques to maintain adequate oxygenation of mother and baby and to relieve tension; hydrotherapy to relax muscles and increase buoyancy which relieves stress and music therapy which balances the mind-body connection.
  
• Assisting the mother and her partner to create the birth experience they want and desire!
  
• Flexible pricing plans. It is in that spirit that we offer a sliding fee scale and flexible payment arrangements for our clients. Click here for our pricing plans.