Baby in Bloom :: Doula Benefits

Doula Support & Childbirth Education
Cape Coral and Fort Myers
Lee County, Southwest Florida

My body opens and unfurls like the petals of
a flower, bringing forth the beauty of new life.

In the News...

Cesarean Rates And Epidurals Reduced By Doula Support in Labor

"Cochrane Review on Effects of Continuous Labor Support" Childbirth Connection
"Benefits of Assistant for Childbirth go far Beyond the Birthing Room" The New York Times
"Study Shows Childbirth Experience can be Improved with the Help of a Friend" Univ. of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey
"Doulas Aid Young Mothers" University of Chicago Magazine
"Nurses and Doulas" JOGNN Clinical Issues "The goal of the nurse is to ensure a safe outcome. The goal of the doula is to ensure that the woman feels safe and confident."
"Doulas deliver help for birthing moms" CNN.com/health

References

1. Scott KD, Berkowitz G, Klaus M. A comparison of intermittent and continuous support during labor: a meta-analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999 May 180:5 1054-9.

2. Kennell J, Klaus M, McGrath S, Robertson S, Hinkley C. Continuous emotional support during labor in a US hospital. A randomized controlled trial. JAMA 1991 May 1 265:17 2197-201

3. Scott KD, Klaus PH, Klaus MH. The obstetrical and postpartum benefits of continuous support during childbirth. J Womens Health Gend Based Med 1999 Dec;8:1257-64.

4. Keenan P. Benefits of massage therapy and use of a doula during labor and childbirth. Altern Ther Health Med 2000 Jan;6:66-74.

5. Wang D, Mao X, Qian S. Clinical observation on Doula delivery. Chung Hua Fu Chan Ko Tsa Chih 1997 Nov 32:11 659-61.

6. Zhang J, Bernasko JW, Leybovich E, Fahs M, Hatch MC. Continuous labor support from labor attendant for primiparous women: a meta-analysis.Obstet Gynecol 1996 Oct 88:4 Pt 2 739-44

7. Nolan M. Supporting women in labour: the doula's role. Mod Midwife 1995 Mar 5:3 12-5.

8. Gordon NP, Walton D, McAdam E, Derman J, Gallitero G, Garrett L. Effects of providing hospital-based doulas in health maintenance organization hospitals. Obstet Gynecol 1999 Mar 93:3 422-6.

9. Langer A, Campero L, Garcia C, Reynoso S. Effects of psychosocial support during labour and childbirth on breastfeeding, medical interventions, and mothers' wellbeing in a Mexican public hospital: a randomised clinical trial. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1998 Oct 105:10 1056-63.

10. Klaus MH, Kennell JH. The doula: an essential ingredient of childbirth rediscovered. Acta Paediatr 1997 Oct 86:10 1034-6.

11. Raphael D. Support and variation, the needs of the breast-feeding woman. Acta Paediatr Jpn 1989 Aug 31:4 369-72.

12. Barron SP, Lane HW, Hannan TE, Struempler B, Williams JC. Factors influencing duration of breast feeding among low-income women. J Am Diet Assoc 1988 Dec 88:12 1557-61.

13. Campero L, García C, Díaz C, Ortiz O, Reynoso S, Langer A. ''Alone, I wouldn't have known what to do'': a qualitative study on social support during labor and delivery in Mexico. Soc Sci Med 1998 Aug 47:3 395-403.

14. Manning-Orenstein G. A birth intervention: the therapeutic effects of Doula support versus Lamaze preparation on first-time mothers' working models of caregiving. Altern Ther Health Med 1998 Jul 4:4 73-81.