Doulas Lead The Way: How Birth Doulas Can Support Better Maternal Health Outcomes
Birth doulas are quickly becoming one of the top solutions to the negative maternal and infant health trends that are growing not only in New York, but across the Nation. New York State’s maternal health scores show a high need for supportive programs like The Doula Partnership and we are proud to work alongside Cayuga, Herkimer, and Madison counties, expanding doula support into the Cortland area.
“Published data indicate that one of the most effective tools to improve labor and delivery outcomes is the continuous presence of support personnel, such as a doula. Given that there are no associated measurable harms, this resource is probably underutilized.”
Just what is a birth doula?
A birth doula is a trained professional who provides physical, emotional, and informational support to a birthing individual before, during, and shortly after childbirth to help them achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.
What does a birth doula do?
A doula provides encouragement, comfort, support, and advocacy help as needed or desired by the birthing individual. This may look like providing assistance with navigating pregnancy questions and challenges, connecting with local resources, clarifying birth goals, learning comfort techniques and labor positions, preparing for the postpartum time, and more!
Evidence shows that birth outcomes — for both the birthing individual and the baby — are improved with the presence of a doula. Having support from a Doula has been reported to:
Shorten labor by 41 minutes on average
Increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth by 15%
Decrease in the risk of Cesarean birth by 39%
Decrease the use of any medications for pain relief by 10%
Decrease in the baby’s risk of a low five-minute Apgar score by 38%
Decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience (in a hospital setting) by 31%
I am expecting — how can I connect with a local doula for no cost?
Connecting yourself or someone you know with a Partnership doula can occur by:
Having a practitioner, nurse, counselor or other community support member put in a referral
Having a family member, neighbor or friend put in a referral
Having a Partnership doula put in a referral
Referring yourself — click the button below to get started!
The Doula Partnership is a 4-county, no-cost program that aims to promote and provide birth doula services for Cortland community members who identify as low-income, may have challenges accessing prenatal, birth, and postnatal support, and/or have experienced previous adverse maternal health outcomes.
