Healthy Alternatives For Kids

What is a Doula? A Birth Attendant or Doula is a woman trained and experienced in birthing. She provides emotional, physical and educational support to women, their partners and families through pregnancy, labour and birth.

Jules Brooks

Lael Stone

Join Kay and Narelle in a fascinating conversation with Jules Brooks and Lael Stone from AboutBirth as they discuss the role of a Doula in empowering and educating women to achieve the birth experience they desire.

As recognized by the World Health Organisation and data taken from various medical and cultural studies from around the world, the benefits of having an experienced, trained support person can:

• Shorten the length of labour by 25%
• Reduce the possibility of caesarean section by 51%
• Reduction in analgesia (epidurals) by 35%
• Reduction in use of forceps by 57%
• Reduction in oxytocin augmentation (drips to speed up or begin labour) by 71%
• Studies have shown that mothers who use a birth attendant/doula have a lower incidence of postpartum depression, breastfeed longer and are more closely bonded with their babies.

Doula Part 1 [ 14:32 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Doula Part 2 [ 11:11 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download