Why should I hire a Doula?

Many of you know what a Doula is but, for those who maybe aren't sure, a Doula is a caregiver, educator, support person, encourager, cheerleader, and advocate for a pregnant woman and her partner.  Doulas meet with their pregnant clients prior to and after birth to discuss what kind of birth they prefer as well as answering any questions they may have about pregnancy, birth, breast feeding and baby.  During the time that a woman is giving birth a Doula supports her as well as her partner by encouraging, massaging and offering techniques that help progression.  A Doula also helps to control the environment that a woman has chosen so that she can remain calm and focused on her birth.
The question that women and their partners ask is "Why should I hire a Doula".  There are many factual reasons why for example:

• Women are more likely to have a spontaneous vaginal birth.
• Women are less likely to use pain medications.
• Women have a more positive birth experience.
• Women are less likely to have ceasarean sections.
• Women experience shorter labors.
• Women were less likely to have forceps used during birth.

All of this information was taken from a study published in July of 2013 in the Cochrane Library. (Use This link to see the information)

I would like to share what a dad recently told me about why he would hire a doula again. "Women think that a doula is mostly for them. They are wrong. Doulas are for the men. We have no idea what to do when women are in labor and need all the help we can get". While I think this dad isn't giving himself near enough credit, there is some truth to it. Giving birth is a wonderful, empowering, sometimes long and exhausting process. So why should you hire a doula? To encourage you (and your partner) that your body does know how to give birth and that you can do it!  And to help remind you how! Regardless of the kind of birth you plan for, your birth can be a better experience when you hire a doula. What about you?  Why did you hire a doula, or why are you thinking of hiring one?