Very often, women who are planning to have their husbands or mothers or sisters present at their births, women who are planning cesareans, or planning to have Epidural drugs during their births, think that hiring Childbirth support, or a Doula, isn’t necessary.

Such is far from the truth.

Every laboring woman deserves a Doula present. Every laboring woman, no matter what choices she made to birth her child, deserves the one on one care a Doula, or a professional childbirth support woman, can provide. Obstetricians do not offer this service. Nurses do not offer this service. Hospital based midwives do not, usually, offer this service. A Doula does.

DONA, a Doula certifying organization, uses the saying “Mothering the Mother” to cap phrase a Doula’s job. She cares for the emotional and physical needs of a woman in pregnancy and in birth, creating a relationship that is quite special. She provides information to the mother and her partner on various topics of pregnancy and birth, if the parents care to make informed choices for themselves. She is an extra pair of hands to massage the mother when the partner tires, she does not leave the mother’s side during her labor (except to eat during labors that may be long), she is educated and experienced in childbirth and its normalcy. Often, Doulas serve the partners as well a the laboring woman.


” I felt empowered by her, as did my husband. She is so good at what she does that there’s very little video or pictures of the baby [being born] because my husband was less photographer and more birth partner, this time around. Because of Tamrha’s support, I was able to have the kind of birth I wanted.” ~Helen

Many studies show the benefits of hiring this special woman to your birth team. When Doulas are present, there are …

· 50% decrease in Cesarean births

· a 60% decrease in the use of epidurals

· oxytocic drug use decreases by 40%

· 25% shorter labor time

· 40% reduction of the use of forceps or vacuum

· better breastfeeding outcomes

· increase in mother/infant interaction

· decrease in postpartum depression and anxiety

· higher self esteem for the new mother

· greater satisfaction with the birth experience

Since ancient times, in just about every culture, women have always supported women during childbirth. The word ‘doula’ itself comes from the Greek language, meaning ‘a woman who serves.’ During the last century when most births moved out of the home and into hospitals, it was this person, the Doula or labor support that was left behind. Today, however, many women are returning to the past and seeking out these specially trained women to add to their birth support teams.