"Women should be surrounded by those they love and trust during labor, delivery and the postpartum period. A woman's emotional support team is as vital to her birth experience as the medical team. Labor is not a time when women are able to be the lone decision-makers. Research has shown that most woman accompanied by a doula during birth have better outcomes and are more satisfied with their birth experience (http://www.cappa.net/about-cappa.php?position-on-childbirth)."

Other marked benefits of an attending doula:

•  Reduced the overall cesarean rate by 50%
•  Reduced the length of labor by 25%
•  Reduced oxytocin use by 40%
•  Reduced the use of pain medication by 30%
•  Reduced forceps deliveries by 40%
•  Reduced requests for epidural pain medication by 60%
•  Mothers report more positive reviews of their birth experience
•  Reduced levels of anxiety
•  Mothers feel more secure and have more confidence
•  Reduced incidence of post-partum depression 

My hands on experience at over 170 births in eleven years has prepared me to provide physical and informational support to the mothers in my care as well as continuous emotional support, which may be perhaps the most valuable service I provide. 

I will offer suggestions for breathing, relaxation, movements and positioning, as well as instructions and support for every mother and her partner during labor. As your doula, I am available to help gather information throughout the course of labor and explore options with you.

Clinical tasks such as vaginal checks or fetal monitoring will be left in the capable hands of your doctor or midwife. But I am beside you all the way, supporting you, and your decisions, not enforcing my own values or goals.

           "If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it."      

                                   ~John H. Kennell, MD ~