Top 10 Reasons You Should Get a Doula
1. Increased success rate of delivery
When I first heard about doulas, I thought they might be helpful, but they aren't that special. Boy, was I wrong. The more research I did, the more I discovered about doulas and the amazing statistics backing the work of doulas. I watched a fabulous YouTube video published by The New Yorker about a woman undergoing VBAC, and near the end of the video they share how fabulous doulas are, and they also share the thoughts of the woman who had a successful VBAC with the help of a doula. Women with a doula are two times less to experience birthing complications, and that statistic really opened my eyes.
2. Emotional support
No statistic will be able to capture just how much emotional support you receive from a doula. Going throughout my pregnancy, there were times that the doula gave me extra support that I didn't know I needed at the time. Sure, I could survive without it. But with the doula, I felt like I could thrive in my pregnancy and afterward. My doula helped me feel so confident in myself, and I don't know if words could ever fully capture the wonders that doulas work.
3. Decreased labor time
Something that made my jaw drop was the statistics around decreased labor time with a doula. According to The American Pregnancy Association, the length of labor decreases by 25% with the assistance of a doula. I don't know about you, but that alone makes me say hell yes to getting a doula.
4. Decreased rates of C-section
It is a known fact that the rates of C-sections have increased throughout the years, especially in the United States. There are health conditions that require a C-section, but better support of us mamas in vaginal births can make all the difference in reducing these numbers. How much does a doula really affect C-section rates? Get ready for this next number. A doula decreases the rate of C-sections by 50%. Did your mouth drop wide open, because that's what mine did!
5. Physical support 
Something that may be more obvious but important to note is the physical support you get from a doula. My doula was there to massage my back, help me stretch, and she offered me so many relieving positions to sit and lay in. I was so grateful to have that, and they know what specific exercises can help put you at the highest level of relaxation possible.
6. Saving your money
Ok, this one may seem counterintuitive, but let me explain. The average cost of a C-section in the United States is $16,000. That's a lot of money. A doula, on the other hand, is $500-$2500. So, all in all, I think that is a pretty good benefit. While a doula doesn't make you immune to pregnancy problems, their support helps the success of women SO much. For me, I would rather spend money to help prevent complications than to go through it without the support. The amount that a doula helps makes the cost well worth it.
7. They will answer your questions and relieve your uncertainties
When I was going through my first delivery, I felt like I was just winging it. It was all so new, and I wish that I could've gone back and had a doula for that experience. There was so much I didn't expect or know in relation to pregnancy and delivery, but the doula is there to help clarify everything for you. My doula was there to answer any questions I had, and the emotional support she provided made me feel more prepared for my pregnancy. With my doula, I didn't just feel ready for delivery, I felt empowered.
8. They clarify your options
We've all had those times when we are at the doctors, and they start talking, we zone out a little bit, and then all the doctor language starts to jumble in our heads. Something I didn't think about before having my doula is that she helped me understand what different things meant. She never told me what to do, but she told me what it meant. I am so grateful that I had someone who could short and sweet tell me what my different options were. Your doula isn't trying to sway your decisions, they just want to help you in the best and most supportive way possible.
I don't know about you all, but my partner and I had no idea what to expect going into this. We both learned so much after our first child, and going into the second we felt more confident but not fully there. The doula helped me learn so much about my own body, and she also helped my wife provide the best possible support. My wife was able to help me when I was expressing discomfort, and we were both able to maximize comfort with the help of my amazing doula.
10. Reduced need for pain relief
For my mamas who are interested in natural delivery out there, you'll love the numbers around the reduced need for pain relief. Doulas offer support to women in every delivery method, and they are extremely beneficial in natural deliveries. Women with a doula are 40% less likely to need oxytocin, and requests for an epidural decrease by 60%. Personally, I had an epidural, but the support I received from the doula was amazing, and I know that she was with me every step of the way in each and every choice I made.
Each woman deserves to feel empowered in their pregnancy and during their delivery, and I can confidently tell you that a doula will help you achieve that. Below, I will link a couple sites that help match you to doulas in your area. For all my mamas who have had a doula, feel free to leave a comment with your experience below! Thank you for reading, and I wish you the most luck in your pregnancy journey!
Doula Searching Websites:
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