Absolutely not! In fact, birth doulas are often most effective in improving birth outcomes in hospital settings where they may lack resources to provide consistent physical, emotional and mental support and advocacy for the mother/birthing person.

At Mama Nurture, I support client births with a variety of care providers and birth scenarios.

I’m equally committed to supporting my clients who choose to birth with or without pain medication; who plan to birth at a hospital, birth center, or in-home; and who are planning a vaginal or cesarean birth.

Whatever your birth wishes, I’m here to support you!

Numerous studies have documented the benefits of having a doula present during labor. A recent Cochrane Review, Continuous Support for Women During Childbirth, showed a very high number of positive birth outcomes when a doula was present. With their support,  pain-relief medications were less likely to be administered, and the chances of cesarean birth birth. Women/birth givers also reported having a more positive childbirth experience.

Other studies have shown that having a doula as a member of the birth team decreases the overall cesarean rate by 50%, the length of labor by 25%, the use of oxytocin by 40%, and requests for an epidural by 60%.

Doulas often use the power of touch and massage to reduce stress and anxiety during labor. According to physicians Marshal Klaus and John Kennell, massage helps stimulate the production and secretion of natural oxytocin by the pituitary gland into the bloodstream (causing uterine contractions) and to the brain (resulting in feelings of well-being and drowsiness, along with a higher pain threshold), thus reducing the need for medications to aid in the progression of labor.

A postpartum doula is a trained professional who provides non-medical support to new parents and their families during the postpartum period, focusing on the mother/birthing person's physical and emotional well-being, as well as providing light assistance with infant care and household tasks. 

Here's a more detailed look at what a postpartum doula does:

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

• Physical Support:

  Postpartum doulas assists with tasks like bathing, breastfeeding or pumping, and providing light housekeeping to allow the mother/birthing person to rest and recover. 

• Emotional Support:

  They offer a listening ear, reassurance, and encouragement to help new parents cope with the emotional challenges of the postpartum period, including anxiety, stress, and isolation. 

• Infant Care:

  They assist with feeding, soothing, diapering, and other aspects of newborn care, providing practical knowledge and skills. 

• Informational Support:

  Doulas can provide information about postpartum recovery, newborn care, breastfeeding, and other relevant topics, helping new parents make informed decisions. 

• Family Support:

  They can help integrate older children into the family dynamic, assist with meal preparation, and provide childcare if needed. 

• Referrals:

  Postpartum doulas can connect families with resources like lactation consultants, pediatricians, or mental health professionals if needed.