Throughout history, and in most non-industrialized countries today, it was and is the norm for women to receive continuous pregnancy, labor and postpartum support from other women. In the U.S. today, with all our modern medicine and technology, the practice of continuous female support during labor is uncommon; many families and even birth professionals have not heard of or worked with a doula.
Doulas are, however, becoming more and more utilized as the research demonstrates the effects of doula support. For example, one large study1 found the following differences between groups of women supported and not supported by a doula during their labor:
No Doula
Doula
Length of Labor (hours)
9.4
7.4
Epidural Use
55%
8%
Pitocin Augmentation
44%
17%
Cesarean Birth
18%
8%
Forceps Delivery
26%
8%
Another study2 found that having a doula present during birth had extraordinary effects during the postpartum period. Mothers were asked six weeks after their baby's birth how they felt about their experiences with the following:
| No Doula | Doula | |
| Feeling close to their baby | 80% | 97% |
| Feeling they are managing well | 65% | 91% |
| Having problems with feeding | 63% | 16% |
| Maternal depression | 23% | 10% |
1. Kennell, J.H., Klaus, M., & McGrath, S.K., 1991, "Continuous emotional support during labor in a US hospital," JAMA, vol. 265, pp. 2197-2201.
2. Hofmeyer, G.J., Nikodem, V.C., & Wolmen, W., 1991, "Companionship to modify the clinical birth environment: Effects on progress and perceptions of labor and
breastfeeding," British Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, vol. 98, pp. 756-764.
