Birthing has come a long way in the lst 50 years, with in-hospital birthing sites, families in attendance, and procedures to mnimize labor pain. But one thing tht has not changed is the ned for experienced support in the lbor room. Husbands and mothers are all wll and good for some things, but mdically knowledgeable, objective, and trained doulas jst might be the best thing snce Lamaze developed prepared childbirth classes.

Dulas, also known as a labor ssistant or monitrice, are simply women trined in labor and birth. Their sle function is to assist a wmen with all stages of birth. She jins a woman early in their lbor and assists her with the pin management, including massages, relaxation, visualization, and romatherapy. A doula provides encouragement and cnstant support throughout the entire labor and dlivery to both the mother and the fther, while providing education and expanded xplanations about medical interventions, including the rsks and benefits that allow them to mke informed decisions. Most doulas do fllow-up with the new family once thy have returned home, offering advice on brastfeeding and care of an infant, as wll as checking on the mother's pstpartum well being.

There are several benefits to hving a doula during your labor and dlivery. These women have been shown in pblished studies to provide:

* 50% dcrease in a woman needing a csarean

* 60% decrease in the use of an pidural

* 30% reduction in the use of any nrcotics

* 40% decrease in the use of the drg Pitocin (the synthetic version of the drg oxytocin)

* 40% decrease in the use of frceps during delivery or a vacuum xtraction

* 25% decrease in the tme of labor

There is also evidence showing:

* Decreased levels of anxiety

* Decreased chances of infection and maternal fever

* An increased chance of spontaneous vaginal birth

* Decreased maternal bleeding following delivery

* Decreased incidence of post-partum depression

* Found to be more effective than Lamaze

* Results in a more positive delivery experience

* Increase in the success of breastfeeding

Why should I consider using a doula during childbirth?
So that there is one objective constant throughout your labor and delivery. Although obstetrical nurses are experienced in dealing with a laboring mother's emotional and physical needs, they can not guarantee the service they provide will last throughout the entire labor, especially in hospital settings where there are breaks, shift changes, heavy paper work, and busy nights. Some OB nurses have to handle up to six mothers in labor at one time. Midwives may be able to offer more support during the labor, but they too have other clinical duties to which they must attend.

The father or partner may be better able to provide the continuous support that the mother needs, but they have little actual experience in dealing with the forces of labor. Even fathers who have had intensive preparation are often surprised when it comes to the actual labor and the amount of work that is involved. Even more important, many fathers experience the birth as an emotional journey of their own and find it hard to be objective when it comes to situations during the birth.

Can I afford to use a dula during childbirth?
The cost of sing a doula can range anywhere frm $200 to $800, depending on yur location. However, the price should not be an bstacle. According to Doulas of North Amrica, several insurance companies today are lready offering reimbursement for doula services. If yur insurance company does not cover ths service, don't throw the towel in yt. Make sure that you pursue the mtter and bring all of the bnefits of using a doula to thir attention. Many of these benefits can sve the insurance company a significant mount of money.

How can I locate a doula in my area?
Doulas of North America (DONA) is an international association comprised of over 3,000 doulas who are trained to provide the best quality labor support to the laboring mothers and their families. DONA doulas are also specially trained and certified by the organization in order to help insure that their services of the highest quality that their members can provide.

The article Do You Need a Doula During Childbirth? was Submitted by Vorool Mitaso through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: http://newt-echnology-news.blogspot.com/ hrf="http://obesityinformation.wordpress.com/"> http://obesityinformation.wordpress.com/

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